Amber

Physical Properties

Hardness: 2.0–2.5 Mohs scale; Color: honey-yellow, orange, reddish-brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 1.05–1.09 (vry low, floats in salt water).

Formation & Geological History

Formed from the fossilization of resin from extinct coniferous trees, primarily during the Cretaceous to the Neogene periods. It undergoes polymerization over millions of years under heat and pressure.

Uses & Applications

Predominantly used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and fragrance perfumery. It is also of immense value to the scientific community for preserving prehistoric biological inclusions (insects, feathers, plants).

Geological Facts

Amber is not a true mineral because it has an organic origin and lacks a crystalline structure. Some specimens contain 'inclusions'—tiny prehistoric organisms trapped in the sticky resin millions of years ago.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its warmth to the touch (unlike cold glass/stone), its ability to float in a saturated salt solution, and its tendency to produce a piney scent when touched with a hot needle. Found commonly in the Baltic region and the Dominican Republic.

Identified on: 4/23/2026

Mode: Standard