mineraloid

Amber (Baltic)

Succinith (Fossilized Tree Resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Honey-brown, orange-red. Luster: Resinous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in saltwater).

Hardness: 2
Color: Honey-brown, orange-red
Luster: Resinous

Identified June 12, 2026More mineraloid →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 Mohs. Color: Honey-brown, orange-red. Luster: Resinous. Structure: Amorphous. Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10 (floats in saltwater).

Formation & geological history

Fossilized resin from coniferous forests (Sciadopityaceae or Pinaceae) during the Eocene epoch, approximately 44 million years ago. Transported from Fennoscandia to the Baltic region by glaciers and rivers.

Uses & applications

Highly valued for jewelry, ornamental carvings, incense, and scientific research (biological inclusions).

Geological facts

Baltic amber contains high levels of succinic acid (3-8%). It is often called 'the gold of the North' and has been traded along 'Amber Roads' since Neolithic times.

Field identification & locations

Found on beaches along the Baltic Sea (near the user's location) after storms. It can be identified by its lightness, warmth to the touch, and its ability to float in saturated salt water.