gemstone

Amber

Succinite (C10H16O)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to brownish-orange; Luster: Resinous; Crystal system: Amorphous; Lightness: Very low density (often floats in saltwater).

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey yellow to brownish-orange
Luster: Resinous

Identified July 6, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to brownish-orange; Luster: Resinous; Crystal system: Amorphous; Lightness: Very low density (often floats in saltwater).

Formation & geological history

Fossilized tree resin from ancient coniferous forests, typically ranging from 30 to 90 million years old (Eocene to Cretaceous periods).

Uses & applications

Widely used for jewelry, decorative carvings, incense production, and as valuable specimens for paleontological study due to fossil inclusions.

Geological facts

Amber is famous for preserving delicate organic matter like insects, lizards, and feathers in near-perfect detail for millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Collectors can identify it by its warmth to the touch (unlike cold glass/stone) and its ability to build a static charge when rubbed. It is frequently found in the Baltic region and the Dominican Republic.