mineraloid

Amber

Succinite (a variety of fossilized tree resin); chemical formula appx. C10H16O

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, orange, honey, or brownish-red; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very lightweight, floats in saltwater)

Hardness: 2
Color: Yellow, orange, honey, or brownish-red
Luster: Resinous

Identified March 20, 2026More mineraloid →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the fossilization of organic tree resin (sap) over millions of years. Most commercial specimens are from the Eocene or Cretaceous periods (20 to 100 million years old).

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry as a gemstone, as a component in traditional fragrances/incense, and for scientific research (paleontology) when it contains inclusions.

Geological facts

Amber is famous for having 'biological inclusions' such as insects or plant fragments trapped inside. The oldest amber dates back to the Carboniferous period, about 320 million years ago.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its light weight and 'warm' feel compared to glass. It can be tested in the field by rubbing it against wool to produce static electricity or by observing if it floats in a saturated salt solution. Primarily found in the Baltic region and the Dominican Republic.

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Amber

Succinite (Organic Mineraloid)

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