gemstone

Polished amber

Amber (fossilized plant resin; commonly succinite, not a mineral)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent honey-yellow to orange-brown resin with a vitreous-to-resinous luster; Mohs hardness 2–2.5, amorphous (noncrystalline), very low density (~1.05–1.10), and conchoidal fracture. This appears carved and highly polished, possibly with internal inclusions or decorative coloration.

Identified August 31, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amber formed from plant resin buried in sediment and polymerized over roughly 20–100 million years, commonly during the Cretaceous–Paleogene and younger periods. Major deposits occur in Baltic-region Paleogene sediments, the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and Mexico.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry, ornaments, carvings, museum objects, and historical varnishes; it is unsuitable for structural construction. Clear, vividly colored, large, inclusion-rich pieces can be valuable.

Geological facts

Amber often floats in salt water and becomes electrostatically charged when rubbed; gentle heating produces a pine-like odor. It is commonly imitated by copal, plastic, and pressed amber.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its unusually light weight, warm feel, softness, static charge, and resinous smell when safely warmed; authentic amber may contain plant fragments or insects. The pictured specimen is likely a display carving rather than a natural rough piece.