Amber
Amber fossilised tree resin including Baltic, Dominican, and Burmese varieties with inclusions, identification, and distinguishing from copal.
species/amber baltic dominican copal identification/inclusions organic
Introduction
Amber is fossilised tree resin, typically 20-100+ million years old. Valued
for its warm golden colour, transparency, and remarkable preservation of
ancient life forms, amber provides a window into prehistoric ecosystems.
Unlike most gems, amber is entirely organic, formed from the resin of
ancient coniferous trees.
Formation and Composition
How amber forms:
Formation Process
- Tree exudes sticky resin (response to injury)
- Resin may trap insects, plant material, debris
- Resin is buried by sediment
- Over millions of years, polymerisation occurs
- Volatile compounds evaporate; resin hardens
- Becomes amber after ~2-10 million years
Composition
- Organic polymers: No fixed chemical formula
- Main components: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
- Variable: Composition differs by source tree
- Succinic acid: Baltic amber contains 3-8%
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 2-2.5 Mohs (very soft) |
| Specific gravity | 1.05-1.10 (floats in salt water) |
| Refractive index | 1.539-1.545 (spot) |
| Lustre | Resinous |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Static electricity | Attracts paper when rubbed |
Major Sources
| Source | Age | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Baltic (Europe) | 40-50 million years | Yellow to cognac; succinite; most common |
| Dominican Republic | 20-30 million years | Blue fluorescence; rare blue amber |
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ~100 million years | Cretaceous; scientifically valuable |
| Mexican (Chiapas) | 20-30 million years | Similar to Dominican |
| Indonesian | 20-30 million years | Various qualities |
Colour Varieties
Amber occurs in many colours:
Common Colours
- Honey/cognac: Most common; warm golden brown
- Yellow: Light to golden yellow
- Cherry: Reddish-brown; treated or natural
- Green: Rare; natural or treated
- White (bone): Opaque; from micro-bubbles
Blue Amber
Dominican blue amber is exceptionally rare:
- Appears normal in transmitted light
- Shows blue fluorescence in UV/sunlight
- Caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Commands significant premiums
Inclusions
Amber famously preserves ancient life:
Biological Inclusions
- Insects: Flies, ants, beetles, wasps, spiders
- Plant material: Leaves, flowers, seeds, pollen
- Hair/feathers: Rare; scientifically important
- Air bubbles: Common; create cloudiness
Value of Inclusions
Inclusions can dramatically increase value:
- Rare or unusual specimens: Exceptional prices
- Well-preserved, visible insects: Premium
- Multiple inclusions in one piece: Valuable
- Scientific importance: Museum interest
Common inclusions (gnats, air bubbles) add less value.
Amber vs Copal
Identification Tests
Amber Authenticity Tests
| Test | Amber | Plastic/Glass | Copal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt water float | Floats (SG ~1.08) | Usually sinks | Floats |
| Hot needle | Piney, resinous smell | Chemical/acrid smell | Softer, sticky |
| UV fluorescence | Blue-green (Baltic) | Often orange/none | Variable |
| Acetone test | No effect | May damage surface | Surface softens |
| Static electricity | Attracts paper | May or may not | Attracts paper |
Treatments
Common amber treatments:
Clarification
- Heat/pressure treatment to clear cloudy amber
- Creates "sun spangles" (disc-shaped stress marks)
- Very common; accepted practice
- Often not disclosed
Other Treatments
- Dyeing: Changes colour (especially green, cherry)
- Heated/pressed: Reconstituded from small pieces
- Coated: Surface enhancement
- Filled: Repairs or creates fake inclusions
Fake Inclusions Warning
Care and Durability
Amber requires gentle handling:
- Hardness: 2-2.5 (very easily scratched)
- Solvents: Avoid alcohol, perfume, hairspray
- Heat: Can crack or cloud
- Sunlight: May darken over time
- Cleaning: Warm water, soft cloth only
- Storage: Keep away from harder gems