fossil

Yellow-orange amber

Fossilized tree resin; amber is an organic mineraloid, not a true mineral

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent honey-yellow, resinous luster, amorphous structure, and Mohs hardness about 2–2.5; light and relatively soft. The small, rounded piece may be polished or naturally worn, and cannot be confirmed from appearance alone.

Identified September 26, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Ancient plant resin buried in sediment and gradually hardened through polymerization and oxidation; amber deposits range from Cretaceous to Cenozoic age.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, jewelry, ornaments, and scientific study of inclusions; most common pieces are inexpensive decorative material.

Geological facts

Amber can preserve insects, plant fragments, and air bubbles, though no inclusion is apparent here.

Field identification & locations

Warmth, low weight, and electrostatic attraction after rubbing can help distinguish amber; also sold as copal or imitation resin, so testing or provenance is needed. Major deposits occur around the Baltic Sea and in the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and Mexico.