Amber

Hardness: Varies (Mohs scale 3-7, depending on purity and density); Color: Brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, often with darker or lighter streaks/bands; Luster: Resinous to dull; Crystal structure: Amorphous (lacks crystalline structure); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light, often floats in salt water)

Formed from fossilized tree resin – typically from coniferous trees, but also from some angiosperms. The resin hardens over millions of years through a process called polymerization, burying under sediment and undergoing pressure and heat. Most commercial amber is Cenozoic in age (from around 50 million years ago to a few million years ago), particularly from the Eocene epoch.

Primarily used in jewelry (beads, pendants, carvings), ornamental objects, and sometimes in traditional medicine. Historically, it was ground into powder for incense. Its value increases significantly if it contains well-preserved biological inclusions.

Amber has been highly valued since ancient times, used for jewelry, adornments, and folk medicine. The oldest known amber is from the Triassic period (about 230 million years old). Large pieces of amber are rare, with the largest known piece weighing over 15 kg (33 lbs). Insects, plants, and even small vertebrates can be perfectly preserved in amber, providing invaluable insights into ancient ecosystems. This specific piece appears to be a raw, irregularly shaped nodule, possibly with some inclusions.

Can be identified in the field by its light weight, warmth to the touch (compared to stone), and sometimes by its ability to float in saline water. It often has a distinct resinous smell when rubbed or gently heated. It can also be distinguished from copal (younger, less-hardened resin) by its greater hardness and resistance to alcohol. Commonly found in sedimentary deposits, particularly marine clays and sands, especially along coastlines. Major deposits are found in the Baltic Sea region (often washing ashore), Dominican Republic, Myanmar (Burma), Mexico, and various sites in North America.