gemstone

Tumbled amber

Fossilized plant resin; chiefly polymerized diterpenoid resin (succinite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 2–2.5 Mohs; translucent brown to reddish-brown with dark inclusions, resinous/waxy luster, amorphous rather than crystalline, and no cleavage. The rounded surface indicates tumbling and polishing.

Identified September 4, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amber formed when ancient conifer or flowering-plant resin was buried, chemically altered, and polymerized over roughly 20–100+ million years. Common deposits occur in Cretaceous–Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and scientific study of trapped inclusions; valuable specimens may contain insects or plant material.

Geological facts

Amber is exceptionally light and can float in salt water; rubbing it may create static electricity, and gentle heating can produce a pine-like resin odor.

Field identification & locations

Identify by very low hardness, warm feel, electrostatic charge after rubbing, and possible flotation in concentrated brine; look in Baltic-region, Dominican, Mexican, Burmese, and Indonesian deposits. This image alone cannot confirm amber versus a dark resinous imitation.