gemstone

Amber beads

Amber — fossilized tree resin; organic mineraloid, not a mineral

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Golden yellow to orange, transparent to translucent, resinous luster; amorphous with no cleavage; Mohs hardness about 2–2.5 and low specific gravity. The image shows small polished beads, but their material cannot be confirmed visually.

Identified October 13, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amber formed when ancient tree resin was buried and chemically altered over millions of years; notable deposits range from roughly 20 to 100 million years old. Major sources include the Baltic region, the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, jewelry, ornaments, and collecting; genuine amber is soft and lightweight, while imitations are common.

Geological facts

Amber can preserve insects and plant fragments. Pressed amber and copal (younger resin) are sometimes sold as natural amber.

Field identification & locations

The warm color and rounded polished shape are consistent with amber, but glass or plastic imitations cannot be ruled out from this photo. Check for a very light feel and softness; definitive identification may require gem testing.