gemstone

Likely rough amber

Amber (fossilized tree resin; organic mineraloid)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, translucent brown-to-honey piece with a glossy surface. Amber has no crystal structure or cleavage and is soft (about 2–2.5 Mohs); the photo alone cannot confirm its identity.

Identified October 10, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Small, translucent brown-to-honey piece with a glossy surface. Amber has no crystal structure or cleavage and is soft (about 2–2.5 Mohs); the photo alone cannot confirm its identity.

Formation & geological history

Formed when ancient tree resin was buried and chemically altered over millions of years; amber deposits range from Cretaceous to Cenozoic in age.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, jewelry, ornaments, and collecting; historically also used for carved objects.

Geological facts

Amber is fossilized resin, not a true mineral. It can preserve insects and plant matter, though none is clearly visible here.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include the Baltic region, the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar. Amber is unusually lightweight and may show electrostatic attraction when rubbed; verify with non-destructive tests, since dark resin or plastic can look similar.