mineraloid
Amber
Succinite (C10H16O)
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to dark brown/black; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.09 (light enough to float in salt water)
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Honey yellow to dark brown/black
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to dark brown/black; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 1.05-1.09 (light enough to float in salt water)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of resin from extinct coniferous trees, typically over millions of years; common geological ages range from the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry, as incense, and as a medium for preserving prehistoric inclusions (insects, flora) which are highly valued by scientific collectors.
Geological facts
Amber is organic matter, not a mineral. It is famous for trapping well-preserved prehistoric organisms. The 'Amber Room' in Russia is one of the most famous historical uses of the material.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its light weight and 'warm' feel compared to stone; it will produce a static charge when rubbed and a pine-like smell when touched with a hot needle. Commonly found in the Baltic region and Dominican Republic.