gemstone
Amber
Succinite (Fossilized Resin)
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to pale yellow; Luster: Resinous; Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (floats in salt water).
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Honey yellow to pale yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to pale yellow; Luster: Resinous; Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (floats in salt water).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees, primarily during the Eocene epoch (approximately 30 to 50 million years ago).
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry as cabochons, beads, and carvings. Also highly valued by paleontologists for preserving prehistoric inclusions like insects.
Geological facts
Amber is organic, not a mineral. It can generate static electricity when rubbed, a property known as the triboelectric effect. The largest deposits are found in the Baltic region.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its warmth to the touch (unlike cold stones) and lightness. Authentic amber will float in a saturated salt water solution and may exhibit fluorescence under UV light.
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