有一种宝石，像玉一样温润，像水晶一样晶莹，拿在手中也不重，闻闻可能有一股淡淡的送香味，在中国被誉为佛教七宝之一，而在欧洲颇受皇室贵族的宠爱，这就是人见人爱的琥珀。值得指出的是，以前注意这些美丽宝石的人居上流，并不多见，但随着人们生活的改善，琥珀也开始在收藏界寻得一席之地。
假若记忆力不错，估计你依然记得课本上所介绍的琥珀的形成。一只被活生生裹进松脂的小昆虫，变成亿万年后人们竞相观赏的宝物。作为地球发展与变迁的记录者，琥珀可以说是经历了不可想象的旅程，而其中所裹进千万年前的矿物、植物，甚至昆虫，更可以让大家展开想象，探寻谜一般的故事。
在欧洲，人们对于琥珀的迷恋就像中国人对于翡翠的迷恋一样，认为它古老而有魅力，能够辟邪保平安。在16-18世纪，琥珀在欧洲已成为一种时尚，深受各阶层的喜爱。譬如号称“世界第八大奇迹”的圣彼得堡琥珀厅就是用400万年前的上号琥珀，历时10年才建成。
在中国，琥珀身世也很高贵，它不仅是佛教七宝之一，还是清代官员帽上的顶珠。中国人收藏琥珀历史悠久，《南史》一书中就有记载，潘贵妃琥珀插件，价高180万。而唐朝诗人李白用诗词“兰陵美酒郁金香，玉碗盛来琥珀光”来讲述其高贵。
对于琥珀的收藏价值，每个人的着重点也不同。对于生物学家或地址学家而言，在于它的历史演变过程；而对于收藏爱好者或投资者来说，具备稀有内含生物或植物的琥珀，才可以称得上奇货可居的至宝。
近年来东南亚拍卖市场成交价格高的琥珀有：一件18世界琥珀雕佛狮小摆件以2.76万英镑成交；一件清代晚期琥珀牛郎织女摆件以28.6万人民币成交；一件17世界琥珀太白酒像以12.1万港币成交；一件日本丹山做琥珀五鱼图鼻烟壶在纽约佳士得拍卖行以近58万人民币高价成交。
也许有人还要问，蜜蜡与琥珀有什么关系呢？蜜蜡的成因众说纷纭，其中最权威的说法指，蜜蜡乃地质时代“始新世”时期松树、枫树以及其他针叶树之脂汁深埋地下，与空气、水源、土壤中的各种矿物质等接触融合石化而成，距今已数千万年至一亿多年。在物理和化学成份上，蜜蜡与琥珀没有区别，只因其“色如蜜，光如蜡”而得名，不少人将蜜蜡当作琥珀的一种。
那么笔者收到的这套琥珀12生肖(星象？)又有什么故事呢？据卖主Danny介绍，这应该有超过100年历史，这是他祖父在第二次世界大战时期，前往参加香港保卫战时购买的！关于他的祖父情况，Danny特意发来一些相关信息！那么，你怎么看呢？对于宝贝本身，我毫无知情，但是我真的被后面的故事所震撼！
I pass my heritage down through my son, by his middle name Lee. This is why my dads middle name is Lee, my brother and my son.
Thank you my great+ Grandfather.
Corporal Delmer Lee Fisher served his country bravely with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Sent to Jamaica in 1940 for sixteen months, returned to Canada for a short spell, then set sail Oct. 27, 1941 with the Royal Rifles of Canada. Both battalions arrived in Hong Kong Nov. 16, 1941 to strengthen the already British and Indian garrisons.
Grandpa Fisher was unfortunately taken as a P.O.W. when Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on the afternoon of Christmas Day, 1941. For a time his family (and government) was unsure of his whereabouts. It wasn’t until he was moved from one camp to another, that his wife received word that he was still alive. He remained a prisoner until the Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945.
He returned to Canada on the Princess Alice to Victoria, British Columbia in October 1945 greeted by General Walford’ handshake (Winnipeg Tribune Newspaper). With a very relieved and grateful family, he spent only 9 short years before the results of his capture took it’s tole. I owe him a debt of gratitude and to ensure his descendants never forget the sacrifice he made.
To all my sibling, children, cousins, ants, uncles, mother, and father, least we forget if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t bee here enjoying our lives.
Thank you grandpa.
