gemstone

Amber

Fossilized Tree Resin (C10H16O)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Honey-yellow, orange, reddish-brown. Luster: Resin-like to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light, can float in salty water).

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey-yellow, orange, reddish-brown
Luster: Resin-like to vitreous

Identified July 22, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Honey-yellow, orange, reddish-brown. Luster: Resin-like to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light, can float in salty water).

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization and polymerization of ancient coniferous or angiosperm tree resin over millions of years, typically buried under marine or lacustrine sediments.

Uses & applications

Used widely in jewelry, decorative carvings, lapidary arts, and scientific study (especially when containing prehistoric inclusions like insects or plant material).

Geological facts

Amber is organic in origin rather than mineral. When rubbed against wool or silk, it generates static electricity, a phenomenon observed by ancient Greeks who called amber 'elektron'—the root word for electricity.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its warm feel, lightweight nature, resinous luster, and translucency. Common locations include the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and Madagascar.