gemstone
Amber
Succinite (Fossilized Tree Resin)
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Golden yellow, honey brown, orange-brown. Luster: Resin-like to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline). Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (floats in salty water).
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow, honey brown, orange-brown
- Luster
- Resin-like to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Golden yellow, honey brown, orange-brown. Luster: Resin-like to vitreous. Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline). Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (floats in salty water).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of ancient plant resins over millions of years (typically 30 to 90 million years old). Originates from ancient coniferous or angiosperm forests.
Uses & applications
Widely used as an gemstone in jewelry, decorative carvings, and objects. Also studied by paleontologists for ancient insect and plant inclusions.
Geological facts
Amber is organic, not a true mineral. It can generate static electricity when rubbed with a cloth, leading the ancient Greeks to call it 'elektron', from which the word 'electricity' is derived.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its low density, warmth to the touch, and distinct pine-like scent when heated. Commonly found along Baltic Sea shores, the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.
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