Amber Hunting Gear: What to Take to the Baltic Beach

For amber hunting you need a scoop net, warm waterproof clothing, a UV torch, a head torch and a metal container with water for finds. You can skip the rest.

The scoop net (kaszorek): your main tool

A kaszorek is a net on a long pole. You dip it into the surf and lift out seaweed with amber in it, without wading deep. A good one has fine mesh and a sturdy handle.

For your first trips, the simplest model is enough. You need no special extras, because the net only has to lift seaweed out of the water.

Choose a pole long enough to reach the waves without wading in to your waist. The net needs a stiff rim, because wet seaweed is heavy. A small sieve for sifting debris can also help (Nocowanie.pl, in Polish).

Waders or wetsuit

Waders keep you warm and dry when you stand in shallow water. A wetsuit works when you must go deeper and will get wet anyway.

• Waders: good in autumn and winter, in water up to your knees. Always fasten the belt at your waist. Full waders will pull you under if you fall in the surf.
• Wetsuit: thick, with boots and gloves. Better for longer work in the waves, but you need to change afterwards.

Do not go deeper than your knees when the waves are high. For when to go to the water, see our guide to amber after a storm.

UV torch

A 365 nm UV torch with a filter works best, but a 395 nm one is fine too. Amber glows yellowish-white or bluish under it. All the differences are in our guide to the UV torch.

Do not shine it into anyone's eyes. Bring spare batteries, because cold drains them fast.

Metal container with water

Keep finds in a metal container with water, not in your pocket. This protects you from white phosphorus, which looks like amber but can ignite once dry. The container must be watertight and have a wide neck.

Take finds out only after checking each piece, ideally at home and in water. Our guide on how to identify amber explains how.

Do not put anything in your pocket that might be phosphorus. Even a small, dry lump can ignite.

Head torch and gloves

• A head torch leaves your hands free for the net. Choose one with white light and a red mode, which does not dazzle other hunters.
• Gloves protect against cold, glass and sharp shells. Neoprene gloves stay warm even when your hands are wet.

What else is worth having

• Waterproof boots or wellies.
• A windproof jacket and a warm hat.
• A phone in a waterproof case, so you can call for help.
• A flask with a hot drink.

Leave the metal detector at home: amber is not metal, and the device does not react to it.

Clothing for storms and winter

In winter the worst part is not the cold water but the wind and wet hands. Dress in layers: a warm layer next to the body, a windproof one outside, and spare dry gloves in your rucksack.

Frozen fingers cannot hold a net or feel small pieces. Get out of the wind before you lose feeling in them.

What not to take

Do not take a spade, a pump or any digging tool. They are banned in Poland, and using them can bring penalties. The rules are in our guide to amber collecting rules.

To start, pick a beach with good wrack, for example Jantar.