Organic Gemstone (Succinite)
Baltic Amber (Butterscotch or Egg Yolk Variety)
Fossilized Tree Resin (Succinite); Approximate formula: C10H16O
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Opaque yellow to creamy orange; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water)
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Opaque yellow to creamy orange
- Luster
- Resinous
Identified More organic gemstone (succinite) →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Opaque yellow to creamy orange; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the fossilized resin of extinct coniferous trees (Pinus succinifera) during the Eocene epoch (approx. 44 million years ago), primarily in the Baltic Sea region.
Uses & applications
Predominantly used for jewelry, prayer beads (Misbaha/Tasbih), traditional medicine, and artistic carvings.
Geological facts
Baltic amber contains succinic acid, which was historically believed to have healing properties. The 'Butterscotch' variety is prized for its high concentration of microscopic air bubbles which create its famous creamy opacity.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its warmth to the touch (unlike glass/stone) and its ability to float in a saturated salt-water solution. Widely found along the shores of Poland, Lithuania, and Russia (Kaliningrad).
More like this
