Organic Mineraloid

Amber

Succinite (specifically for Baltic amber); Complex mixture of organic compounds (C10H16O)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs scale); Color: honey-yellow, orange, to brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in saltwater).

Hardness: 2
Color: honey-yellow, orange, to brown
Luster: Resinous

Identified March 14, 2026More organic mineraloid →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees, primarily during the Eocene epoch (approx. 34-56 million years ago). It is created via high pressure and temperatures from sediment layers over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, decorative arts, and perfumery. It also has significant scientific value for paleontologists when it contains inclusions (trapped insects or plant matter).

Geological facts

Amber is not a stone but fossilized sap. It is one of the few organic 'gems' and can generate static electricity when rubbed with a cloth, a property discovered by the ancient Greeks who called it 'elektron'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its warmth to the touch, lightness, and ability to float in a saturated salt solution. It is commonly found in the Baltic Sea region, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar. For collectors, look for clarity and biological inclusions.

Other organic mineraloid specimens

See all

Pearl

Organic Mineraloid (CaCO3 + Conchiolin)

mineral

Amber

Succinite (Organic Mineraloid)

mineral

Amber

Succinite (Organic Mineraloid) - C10H16O

mineral

Amber

Succinite (organic mineraloid); Chemical formula: C10H16O

mineral

Pearl

Calcium Carbonate (Aragonite) with Conchiolin; formula: CaCO3

mineral

Amber

Succinite (C10H16O)

Mineraloid