Rock Identifier
Amber (fossilized tree resin) (Succinite; organic resin composed mainly of polymerized terpenoids) — fossil
fossil

Amber (fossilized tree resin)

Succinite; organic resin composed mainly of polymerized terpenoids

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent honey-orange to brown, resinous luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage; Mohs hardness about 2–2.5 and specific gravity about 1.05–1.10. The irregular glossy piece appears raw or lightly polished, though visual identification is not definitive.

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Physical properties

Translucent honey-orange to brown, resinous luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage; Mohs hardness about 2–2.5 and specific gravity about 1.05–1.10. The irregular glossy piece appears raw or lightly polished, though visual identification is not definitive.

Formation & geological history

Amber formed when ancient tree resin was buried, chemically altered, and polymerized over millions of years, commonly from Cretaceous–Cenozoic deposits. Major sources include Baltic-region Eocene amber, Dominican Republic Miocene amber, and Myanmar Cretaceous amber.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry, carvings, ornaments, and scientific specimens; historically used as incense and in folk medicine. It is lightweight and warm to the touch compared with most minerals.

Geological facts

Amber may preserve insects, plants, or air bubbles and can fluoresce blue, green, or yellow under ultraviolet light. It is organic rather than a mineral and is not a true rock in the strict petrological sense.

Field identification & locations

Field tests include floating in concentrated salt water, static attraction after rubbing, and a pine-like odor when gently warmed; avoid destructive heat or solvent tests. Common look-alikes include copal, colored glass, and plastic.

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