mineral

Amber

Succinite (fossilized resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow to reddish-brown (Cognac); Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light/buoyant)

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey-yellow to reddish-brown (Cognac)
Luster: Resinous

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow to reddish-brown (Cognac); Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light/buoyant)

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees of the Tertiary period (roughly 30-50 million years ago). Over millions of years, the resin undergoes polymerization and oxidation under heat and pressure within sediment.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry making (beads, pendants), as a gemstone, in perfumes (scents), and highly valued in paleontology when it contains biological inclusions.

Geological facts

Amber is organic, not a true mineral. It is famous for preserving delicate organisms like insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates in near-perfect detail for millions of years. It can float in saltwater.

Field identification & locations

To identify in the field, check for light weight and warm feel relative to stone. It can be identified using the 'saltwater test' (it floats in saturated saltwater) or a 'hot needle test' (it emits a pine-like smell). Commonly found in Baltic Sea regions and Dominican Republic.