gemstone

Amber

Fossilized Tree Resin

Hardness: 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellow, orange, brown, sometimes reddish, whitish, or greenish. Luster: Resinous, greasy, to vitreous. Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline solid). Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10.

Hardness: 2-2
Luster: Resinous, greasy, to vitreous

Identified July 29, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of tree resin, typically originating from coniferous trees, over millions of years (ranging from Carboniferous to Pleistocene, though most gem amber is Cretaceous to Neogene in age).

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historically in traditional medicine. It is also invaluable to science for preserving prehistoric insects and plant matter.

Geological facts

Amber is organic, not a mineral, and floats in salt water. It can become electrostatically charged when rubbed with cloth, a property noted by the ancient Greeks who called it 'electron', which is the origin of the word 'electricity'.

Field identification & locations

Found predominantly along the Baltic Sea coast (Baltic amber), the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Myanmar. It can be identified by its low specific gravity, warm touch, resinous scent when rubbed or heated, and fluorescence under UV light.