mineraloid

Amber

Succinicum (Organic Gemstone - Resinite)

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

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey-yellow, orange, brown, or reddish-brown
Luster: Resinous

Identified March 22, 2026More mineraloid →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the fossilized resin of ancient coniferous trees (gymnosperms) or occasionally angiosperms. Generally dates from the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods (approx. 20-100 million years old).

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and high-end perfumes. It is also of immense value to the scientific community for preserving biological inclusions such as insects and plant matter.

Geological facts

Amber is not a true mineral because it is organic and lacks a crystal structure. One of the most famous historical uses was the 'Amber Room' in the Catherine Palace of Russia, which was looted by Nazis in WWII and remains lost.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its light weight (it feels warmer to the touch than glass/stone) and its ability to float in a saturated salt solution. Primarily found along the Baltic Sea, in the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.