The price of raw amber has risen sharply because many miners have migrated to northern Mexico, leaving only a small number of people working in the mines to extract the fossilized resin.
María Antonieta Domínguez Hernández, a merchant specializing in amber pieces, explained that one kilogram of raw amber can cost 10,000, 15,000, or even 20,000 pesos, depending on its quality. Amber is found in several colors, including yellow, red, green, brown, bluish, and orange. Amber containing insect inclusions is even more valuable due to its rarity.
“The increase in the price of raw amber has hit us hard. We have also been forced to raise the prices of our products, and that has affected us because, alongside the increase in amber prices, silver has also become more expensive. That has had a major impact on us.”
Following the large-scale purchasing of amber by Chinese buyers, who acquired significant quantities directly from Simojovel, miners became accustomed to receiving much higher prices for their raw amber.
Domínguez Hernández added:
“After they left, they continued buying, but not at the same level as before. This caused many miners to abandon the profession and move elsewhere. There are still miners, but far fewer than there used to be.”
This situation has also forced artisans to increase the prices of their handcrafted products. They emphasize that carving raw amber requires considerable time, skill, and dedication. Many create jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other decorative pieces.
“Please support local artisans. We are not raising our prices by choice; it is a consequence of the situation affecting the mining industry.”
It is worth noting that more than 1,000 families in the region depend on amber for their livelihoods, working as artisans, merchants, or vendors in both Simojovel and the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
The municipality of Simojovel is home to one of the world’s largest amber deposits, featuring around 30 different shades distinguished by the exceptional brilliance and transparency of this ancient fossilized resin.
Source: chiapas.quadratin
