Russia’s westernmost area, the Kaliningrad region, is dubbed ‘The Land of Amber’. It is a unique deposit of Baltic Gold – a natural treasure ascribed magical qualities. The region boasts 90 per cent of the world’s amber reserves.

The largest amber mine in the world is located near the village of Yantarny, 50 km from Kaliningrad. It used to be the centre of the industry but greatly deteriorated since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The open-cast mine underwent 75 per cent decline in the past decade and now produces 200 tonnes of raw amber a year.

Amber is the hardened resin of ancient pine trees which grew in the area, now covered by the Baltic Sea, 50 million years ago.

“The Romans believed that when the trees cried, their tears turned to stone, and so amber appeared,” says Marina Yadova from Kaliningrad Amber Museum.

Now small pieces are torn from the sea-bed and washed-up by the waves.

Many people say a revived amber trade could transform the region but mass smuggling activities have considerably damaged local amber enterprises, although Russia has clamped down on the illegal trade flow.

Businessman Vasily Simonov is striving to rejuvenate the amber industry in Kaliningrad. His Baltic Souvenirs employs 14 craftsmen and caters for an exclusive market.

Simonov says it’s difficult for locals to buy amber because the mines still sell it to foreigners at a cheaper price.

“Poland has developed as a centre of an amber craft industry while we’re living on top of amber reserves and we are not able to make the most of it,” he says.