Mineraloid (Organic)
Amber
Succinite (specifically for Baltic amber; general formula C10H16O)
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to honey-brown (shown), cognac, or butterscotch; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Yellow to honey-brown (shown), cognac, or butterscotch
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to honey-brown (shown), cognac, or butterscotch; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of resin from extinct coniferous trees. The most famous deposits (Baltic) date back to the Eocene epoch, approximately 44 million years ago. It forms in sedimentary environments after being buried and subjected to heat and pressure.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (beads, pendants), decorative arts, and as a medium for preserving biological inclusions (insects, flora) for scientific study. Historically used in perfumes and folk medicine.
Geological facts
Amber is not a stone but fossilized tree resin. It can often contain perfectly preserved prehistoric life. It is famously known for its electrostatic properties; the Greek word for amber is 'elektron,' which is the root of the word 'electricity.'
Field identification & locations
Identify by its warmth to the touch (unlike glass), its ability to float in a saturated salt solution, and its reaction to a 'hot needle test' which produces a piney smell. Common locations include the Baltic Sea region (Poland, Lithuania, Russia), Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.
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