mineraloid
Amber
Succinates (C10H16O)
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow, orange, brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous;Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Honey-yellow, orange, brown
- Luster
- Resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow, orange, brown; Luster: Resinous; Crystal structure: Amorphous;Specific gravity: 1.05-1.10
Formation & geological history
Formed through the polymerization of fossilized ancient tree resin, primarily from conifers, dating from the Carboniferous to the Pleistocene (typically 30-90 million years old).
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, incense, and perfumes; highly valued by paleontologists for preserving prehistoric biological inclusions.
Geological facts
Amber is not a true mineral because it is organic and lacks a crystalline structure. It is famous for trapping insects, plant matter, and even small vertebrates mid-life.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its buoyancy in salt water and its electrostatic properties (it attracts light particles when rubbed). Commonly found in the Baltic region, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.
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