Organic Mineraloid

Amber

Succinite (with empirical formula approximately C10H16O)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, orange, honey-brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (floats in saltwater)

Hardness: 2
Color: Yellow, orange, honey-brown
Luster: Resinous

Identified March 21, 2026More organic mineraloid →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of resin from extinct coniferous trees. Over millions of years (typically dating back to the Paleogene or Cretaceous periods), high pressure and temperature cause the resin to polymerize into a stable, hard substance.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry making (beads, pendants), as an ornamental stone, and historically in perfumes or folk medicine. It is highly valued by collectors and scientists when it contains biological inclusions like insects.

Geological facts

Amber is not a true mineral because it has an organic origin and lacks a crystalline structure. It is famous for preserving delicate organic matter, such as spiders, mosquitoes, and plant debris, in pristine condition for millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its light weight (warm to the touch) and its ability to float in saturated saltwater. It is commonly found in the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar. Collectors should look for 'sea amber' washed up on beaches after storms.

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Organic Mineraloid (CaCO3 + Conchiolin)

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Amber

Succinite (Organic Mineraloid)

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Amber

Succinite (Organic Mineraloid) - C10H16O

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Amber

Succinite (organic mineraloid); Chemical formula: C10H16O

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Pearl

Calcium Carbonate (Aragonite) with Conchiolin; formula: CaCO3

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Amber

Succinite (C10H16O)

Mineraloid