mineral

Amber (in Matrix/Shale)

Amber (Fossilized Tree Resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5; Color: Honey-brown, yellow, orange-red; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey-brown, yellow, orange-red
Luster: Resinous

Identified March 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5; Color: Honey-brown, yellow, orange-red; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10

Formation & geological history

Formed through the polymerization of fossilized ancient tree resin from coniferous or angiosperm trees, often found in sedimentary deposits like shale or sandstone ranging from the Carboniferous to the Pleistocene periods.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, decorative arts, and perfumery; highly valued by paleontologists for preserving prehistoric biological inclusions (insects, feathers, DNA traces).

Geological facts

Amber is one of the few organic substances classified as a gemstone; it floats in saltwater and can generate static electricity if rubbed with a cloth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its waxy feel, light weight (it feels much lighter than a stone of similar size), and the Saltwater Test (it floats). Commonly found in the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.

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