fossil

Amber

Succinite (fossilized tree resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: honey-yellow, orange, or brown; Luster: resinous; Structure: Amorphous (no crystal system); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).

Hardness: 2
Color: honey-yellow, orange, or brown
Luster: resinous

Identified July 5, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: honey-yellow, orange, or brown; Luster: resinous; Structure: Amorphous (no crystal system); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water).

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of resin from extinct coniferous trees. It undergoes polymerization and volatile evaporation over millions of years, typically dating from the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carving, and traditional medicine. It is highly valued by scientists for preserving ancient biological inclusions like insects and plant matter.

Geological facts

Amber is not a mineral because it has an organic origin. If you rub amber with a cloth, it becomes electrostatically charged and can attract small bits of paper, a property first noted by ancient Greeks.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its light weight (feels like plastic), warmth to the touch, and ability to float in saturated salt water. Commonly found in the Baltic region and the Dominican Republic.