fossil

Amber

Succinited (C10H16O)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to dark brown/black; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Fracture: Conchoidal. It is lightweight and warm to the touch.

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey yellow to dark brown/black
Luster: Resinous

Identified July 3, 2026More fossil →

Explore Amber in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to dark brown/black; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Fracture: Conchoidal. It is lightweight and warm to the touch.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the fossilized resin of ancient pine trees and other conifers dating from the Carboniferous period to the Pleistocene, primarily in the Eocene (approx. 44 million years ago).

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, folk medicine, and as a significant source of paleoentomological data (inclusions).

Geological facts

Amber is one of the few organic gemstones. It is statistically likely to contain inclusions of prehistoric insects or plant matter that provide a snapshot into ancient ecosystems.

Field identification & locations

Amber can be identified by its ability to float in salt water and its tendency to build an electrostatic charge when rubbed with wool. It is commonly found around the Baltic Sea.