Organic mineraloid
Amber
Succinite (a Fossilized Tree Resin); Chemical formula is approximately C10H16O
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to orange-brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Honey yellow to orange-brown
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to orange-brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees. The oldest amber dates back to the Carboniferous period (320 million years ago), though most jewelry-grade amber is from the Eocene or Miocene epochs (20-50 million years ago).
Uses & applications
Primary use is in jewelry, carvings, and lapidary arts. Historically used in perfumes, folk medicine, and as an ingredient in early varnishes.
Geological facts
Amber is famous for containing 'inclusions'—it can trap insects, pollen, and even small vertebrates in an airtight preservation chamber, providing a unique look at prehistoric life. It is not a true mineral because it has an organic origin and lacks a crystal structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its light weight and warmth to the touch (unlike cold glass/stones). In the field, it is often found in sedimentary deposits or washed up on coastlines. It can be distinguished from plastic by rubbing it with a cloth to create static electricity or by its ability to float in a concentrated saline solution.
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