Rock as Doorstop Revealed to be Amber Worth PHP61M
ROMANIA – A rock that had been used as a doorstop for decades by an elderly Romanian woman was recently identified as a highly valuable amber worth PHP61.4 million. The rock, found in a creek in Colti, Buzau County, Romania, had remained unrecognized for its true worth until after the woman’s death in 1991.
The property was inherited by a relative who noticed the rock’s unusual color and suspected it might be special. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was an amber fossil and sold it to the Romanian state for one million euros, which led to its designation as a national treasure. The Romanian authorities then sought the expertise of Polish specialists from the Museum of History in Krakow, who confirmed the rock’s authenticity and estimated its age to be between 38.5 and 70 million years.
Daniel Costache, Director of the Provincial Museum of Buzau, highlighted the amber’s significant scientific and museum value. The amber is now displayed in the Buzau museum, where it is considered one of the largest known specimens.
Interestingly, during a previous robbery at the elderly woman’s house, the thieves overlooked the amber and only stole lower-value jewelry. This oversight was noted by the woman’s relatives, who expressed regret over the missed opportunity to recognize the true value of the amber.
Romania, known for its rich amber deposits, is home to many such fossilized treasures. The amber from Buzau, named after the city, is part of a nature reserve renowned for its amber nuggets, which sometimes contain fossilized remains of reptiles, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, and even bird feathers and animal hair.
The discovery of this amber emphasizes the potential hidden treasures that may be overlooked in everyday objects and serves as a reminder of Romania’s significant amber heritage.