mineral

Amber

Succinite (fossilized resin)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs), Color: honey-yellow, orange, brown, Luster: resinous, Crystal structure: amorphous (non-crystalline), Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very buoyant)

Hardness: 2

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 (Mohs), Color: honey-yellow, orange, brown, Luster: resinous, Crystal structure: amorphous (non-crystalline), Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10 (very buoyant)

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of tree resin from extinct coniferous trees. The process involves polymerization under high pressure and temperature over millions of years, typically dating back to the Eocene or Cretaceous periods.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry making (beads, pendants), as a source of succinic acid, in traditional medicine, and as a highly valued scientific medium for preserving prehistoric biological inclusions.

Geological facts

Amber is organic, not a true mineral. It is famous for trapping insects, plant material, and even small vertebrates in near-perfect condition for millions of years. It can float in salt water and produces a pine-like scent when burned.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its light weight and warm feel compared to stone. It can be tested by its buoyancy in saturated salt water or by static electricity (it attracts small bits of paper when rubbed with cloth). Common in the Baltic region and Dominican Republic.