gemstone

Polished Baltic amber with insect inclusion

Amber (fossilized plant resin), chiefly polymerized diterpenoid resin; likely succinite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Honey-yellow to orange, translucent, resinous luster with dark internal flow lines and probable organic inclusion. Mohs hardness 2–2.5, amorphous rather than crystalline, very low density (~1.05–1.10), and no cleavage; the glossy surface indicates polishing.

Identified August 20, 2026More gemstone →

Explore Polished Baltic amber with insect inclusion in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amber formed from conifer or flowering-plant resin buried in sediment and polymerized over roughly 20–50 million years, commonly during the Eocene–Oligocene. The dark material appears to be a trapped organic inclusion or altered resin, though the image cannot confirm its identity.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry, ornaments, carvings, incense, and scientific study of inclusions; it is too soft for most construction uses.

Geological facts

Amber is fossilized resin, not mineralized tree sap in the strict sense. Genuine amber often floats in concentrated salt water and produces a pine-like odor when gently warmed; avoid destructive tests on valuable pieces.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, Myanmar, Mexico, and Indonesia. Typical polished specimens sell for about $10–$100; attractive large pieces with verified insect inclusions may bring $200–$2,000+, depending on provenance and clarity.