mineral

Amber

Succinite (fossilized tree resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Honey-yellow, orange, brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water)

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

Identified March 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the fossilization of tree resin (primarily from extinct coniferous/pine trees). Over millions of years, the resin undergoes polymerization. Most deposits range from 30 to 90 million years old (Cretaceous to Eocene).

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a component in perfumes/healing traditions. Crucial to scientific research for identifying trapped fossil inclusions (insects, plants).

Geological facts

Amber is organic, not a true mineral. It is often warm to the touch and can become electrostatically charged when rubbed with cloth. Some specimens preserve extinct life forms perfectly in 3D for millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its light weight (it feels much lighter than a stone of the same size) and its ability to float in a saturated salt-water solution. Found commonly in the Baltic Sea region, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.