fossil

Amber

Succinite (fossilized tree resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Yellow, orange, reddish-brown. Luster: Resinous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (can float in salt water).

Hardness: 2
Color: Yellow, orange, reddish-brown
Luster: Resinous

Identified July 7, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Yellow, orange, reddish-brown. Luster: Resinous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.09 (can float in salt water).

Formation & geological history

Formed through the polymerization and fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees, typically dating from the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods (approx. 20-100 million years ago).

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry, perfume production, and as a medium for scientific study of prehistoric life trapped within inclusions.

Geological facts

Unlike most minerals, amber is organic. It has the rare ability to preserve delicate prehistoric organisms, including insects and plant matter, in incredible detail for millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its warmth to the touch, lightness compared to stone, and ability to generate static electricity when rubbed. It is frequently found in coal seams or coastal deposits.