gemstone
Amber
Fossilized Tree Resin
Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, orange, brown, sometimes red or green; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10
- Hardness
- 2-2
- Color
- Yellow, orange, brown, sometimes red or green
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, orange, brown, sometimes red or green; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10
Formation & geological history
Formed through the fossilization of tree resin, typically originating from coniferous trees, over millions of years (ranging from Carboniferous to Quaternary, but most commonly Cenozoic/Eocene).
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, scientific research (due to preserved inclusions such as insects and plant matter), and historically in traditional medicine.
Geological facts
Amber is organic rather than mineral, and it can float in saltwater. Famous for preserving ancient insects and flora in exquisite detail, providing a window into prehistoric ecosystems.
Field identification & locations
Found in coastal deposits, sedimentary rock layers, and alluvial plains. Major deposits are located in the Baltic region (Baltic amber), the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar (Burma).
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