gemstone

Polished amber

Amber (fossilized plant resin; commonly succinite, C10H16O)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Honey-orange to reddish-brown, translucent, resinous luster, amorphous rather than crystalline; Mohs hardness about 2–2.5, very low density (~1.05–1.10), conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage. The rounded glossy surface indicates polishing or tumbling.

Identified August 30, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amber formed when ancient trees exuded resin that was buried, chemically altered, and fossilized over roughly 2–50+ million years; Baltic amber is mainly Eocene in age (~44–34 Ma). Common deposits occur around the Baltic Sea, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and collector specimens; historically used in incense and traditional medicine. It is generally inexpensive unless exceptionally clear, large, or containing an attractive inclusion.

Geological facts

The specimen’s warm orange-brown color and internal cloudy flow patterns are consistent with amber, though appearance alone cannot exclude copal or resin imitation. Genuine amber often floats in concentrated salt water and becomes electrostatically charged when rubbed.

Field identification & locations

Common locations include Baltic coastal sediments and Dominican lignite deposits. Test cautiously: amber is soft, warm to the touch, and may fluoresce blue-white under UV; avoid destructive heat or solvent tests.