mineraloid

Amber

Succinate (Fossilized Tree Resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow-orange to brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light/buoyant)

Hardness: 2
Color: Yellow-orange to brown
Luster: Resinous

Identified July 1, 2026More mineraloid →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow-orange to brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very light/buoyant)

Formation & geological history

Formed through the polymerization and fossilization of tree resin over millions of years, typically from extinct coniferous or angiosperm trees. Dating mostly from the Cretaceous to the Eocene (30-90 million years ago) periods.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, decorative arts, and lapidary work. It is also of extreme importance in paleontology for preserving prehistoric biological inclusions like insects.

Geological facts

Amber is one of the few organic 'gems.' It can float in salt water and produces a distinct pine-like smell when burned or rubbed vigorously. The 'Amber Room' in Russia is one of its most famous historical applications.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its lightness, warmth to the touch, and buoyancy in saturated salt water. Often found in sedimentary coastal deposits, particularly in the Baltic region and Dominican Republic.