2025-07-02

On June 30th of this year, during the General Assembly of Members of the International Amber Association (IAA), the Assembly passed a resolution to award the title of Honorary Member of the IAA to Mrs. Małgorzata Kucharska.

On June 30th of this year, during the General Assembly of Members of the International Amber Association (IAA), the Assembly passed a resolution awarding the title of Honorary Member of the IAA to Dr. Małgorzata Kucharska.

Dr. Eng. Małgorzata Kucharska – Honorary Member of the IAA

Justification

Dr. Eng. Małgorzata Kucharska is a graduate of the Faculty of Chemistry at the Gdańsk University of Technology. She earned her doctoral degree with a dissertation entitled “Selected Issues in the Chemistry and Technology of Baltic Amber”, supervised by Associate Professor Dr. habil. Aleksander Kwiatkowski. At the time, her dissertation represented pioneering research on the characterization of Baltic amber, including its role as a raw material. Her work presented an innovative and comprehensive analytical approach, demonstrating both an exceptional research perspective and deep scientific expertise.

Dr. Kucharska is the author of publications in renowned scientific journals focused on the physicochemical analysis of Baltic amber. She has been connected with Baltic amber for decades, and with the International Amber Association almost since its founding. She has always been an exceptionally active member of the Association, serving in organizational roles such as on the IAA’s Disciplinary Court and the Expert Committee.

Dr. Kucharska is also the co-author of the classification of gem-quality Baltic amber stones. Without a doubt, she is one of the most respected authorities among IAA experts and also serves as a member and amber expert within the Polish Association of Jewelry Experts.

It was largely due to Dr. Kucharska’s efforts in 2004 that the IAA Amber Laboratory was established and began to thrive. She was the initiator of the collaboration between the IAA and the Gdańsk University of Technology in the field of Baltic amber identification. Thanks to this partnership, research on Baltic amber was able to be conducted at the university’s Faculty of Chemistry — research which, after several years, led to the creation of the IAA Amber Laboratory.

She is not only highly knowledgeable — she is also a skilled practitioner. Her willingness to share her experience and knowledge is evidenced by the many generations of IAA experts trained under her guidance. Among those she has mentored are Małgorzata Siudak, Paulina Szulc, and currently, Zofia Kaczorowska.

She is deeply involved in the work of the Amber Laboratory, both within the Association and during the Amberif Fair. Always available, always open, wholeheartedly committed. Selflessly — for the benefit of amber and the Association.

Ewa Wagner-Wysiecka & Ewa Rachoń

Our heartfelt congratulations!