Amber
A mixture of two or more distinct mineral species
This page kindly sponsored in memory of Laszlo Z. Valachi
About Amber
Colour:
Yellow-orange-brown, pale lemon yellow, red, brown, nearly black; rarely blue or green
Hardness:
2 - 2½
A fossil tree resin.
In order to qualify as "amber", it is NOT sufficient for a tree resin merely to harden by losing its volatiles, the molecules have to polymerize, which can take millions of years (or at least 100,000 years). After polymerization, amber becomes significantly less soluble in common organic solvents, and so will not become sticky if wetted with alcohol, acetone or gasoline. Much of the material marketed as "amber" (especially that from Colombia and Madagascar) is far too young to be considered amber and is in reality just dried tree resin.
The oldest amber recovered dates to the Upper Carboniferous period (320 million years ago).
Amber is heterogeneous in composition but consists of several resinous materials more or less soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, associated with an insoluble bituminous substance. Amber comprises macromolecules formed by free radical polymerization of several precursors in the labdane family, e.g. communic acid, cummunol, and biformene. These labdanes are diterpenes (C20H32) and trienes, equipping the organic skeleton with three alkene groups for polymerization. As amber matures over the years, more polymerization takes place as well as isomerization reactions, crosslinking and cyclization.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Amber.
In order to qualify as "amber", it is NOT sufficient for a tree resin merely to harden by losing its volatiles, the molecules have to polymerize, which can take millions of years (or at least 100,000 years). After polymerization, amber becomes significantly less soluble in common organic solvents, and so will not become sticky if wetted with alcohol, acetone or gasoline. Much of the material marketed as "amber" (especially that from Colombia and Madagascar) is far too young to be considered amber and is in reality just dried tree resin.
The oldest amber recovered dates to the Upper Carboniferous period (320 million years ago).
Amber is heterogeneous in composition but consists of several resinous materials more or less soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, associated with an insoluble bituminous substance. Amber comprises macromolecules formed by free radical polymerization of several precursors in the labdane family, e.g. communic acid, cummunol, and biformene. These labdanes are diterpenes (C20H32) and trienes, equipping the organic skeleton with three alkene groups for polymerization. As amber matures over the years, more polymerization takes place as well as isomerization reactions, crosslinking and cyclization.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Amber.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
188
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:188:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5ad35c00-487e-4116-b57c-1409e81f9f8f
Pronunciation of Amber
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Amber
Colour:
Yellow-orange-brown, pale lemon yellow, red, brown, nearly black; rarely blue or green
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Synonyms of Amber
Other Language Names for Amber
Arabic:كهرمان
Asturian:Ámbar
Belarusian:Бурштын
Bosnian:Ćilibar
Catalan:Ambre
Czech:Jantar
Danish:Rav
Dutch:Barnsteen
Esperanto:Sukceno
Estonian:Merevaik
Farsi/Persian:کهربا
Finnish:Meripihka
French:Ambre
Galician:Ámbar
Greek:Κεχριμπάρι
Hebrew:ענבר
Hungarian:Borostyán
Icelandic:Raf
Ido:Sucino
Italian:Ambra
Japanese:コハク
Korean:호박
Latin:Succinum
Latvian:Dzintars
Lithuanian:Gintaras
Low Saxon/Low German:Barnsteen
Norwegian:Rav
Polish:Bursztyn
Portuguese:Âmbar
Romanian:Chihlimbar
Russian:Янтарь
Serbian:Ћилибар
Serbo-Croatian:Jantar
Simplified Chinese:琥珀
Slovak:Jantár
Slovenian:Jantar
Swedish:Bärnsten
Tamil:அம்பர்
Thai:อำพัน
Turkish:Kehribar
Ukrainian:Бурштин
Vietnamese:Hổ phách
Welsh:Ambr
Varieties of Amber
| Almashite | A variety of amber low in oxygen. Originally reported from Almas Valley, Piatra, Neamt Co., Romania. |
| Ambrosine | Amber containing much succinic acid. Originally described from Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina, USA. |
| Bacalite | A white or yellow variety of amber (or quartz) from Baja California, Mexico. |
| Burmite | A generally deep red amber from Burma. An amber occurring in the upper Hukong Valley, Burma. Differs from ordinary amber in that it doesn't contain succinic acid. Originally described from Maingkwan, Myitkyina-Mogaung District, Kachin State, Myanmar (Bu... |
| Cloudy Bastard Amber | A variety of amber that takes a good polish but is more turbid that fatty amber. The cloudy appearance is caused by a multitude of small bubbles within the mass. It is a common variety and there are several degrees of cloudiness. Some may have portions di... |
| Delatynite | A variety of amber from the area near Delyatyn, Ukraine. |
| Duxite | |
| Fatty Amber | A cloudy variety of amber that is slightly turbid and appears to have fine dust suspended within. |
| Foamy Amber | An opaque, very soft, amber that does not take a polish. |
| Gedanite | A resin resembling amber but with little succinic acid. Originally described from Gdansk (Danzig), Pomorskie, Poland. |
| Jaulingite | A fossil resin. Originally reported from Jauling, St Veit an der Triesting, Bad Vöslau, Lower Austria, Austria. |
| Jelinite | A variety of amber from Ellsworth Co., Kansas, USA. |
| Kochenite | Originally reported from Kochen valley, Telfs, Inn valley, North Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria. |
| Munktenite | A Romanian amber |
| Muntenite | A Romanian amber. Originally reported from Olanesti, Valcea Co., Romania. |
| Osseous Amber | Also known as bone amber, this is an opaque amber, slightly softer than other varieties which does not polish well. It has the general appearance of bone or ivory. |
| Plaffeiite | Name for an upper Paleozoic (Gurnigelflysch formation) amber from Switzerland (Höllibach near Plasselb, not far from Plaffeien, ca. 15 km SE of Fribourg). |
| Rosthornite | An ill-defined resin, resembling amber and jaulingite. Originally reported from Sonnberg, Guttaring, Friesach - Hüttenberg area, Carinthia, Austria. |
| Simetite | A variety of amber of Miocene age from Sicily. Contains less succinic acid than Baltic amber. A deep-red to light orange-yellow variety of amber having a high content of sulfur and oxygen and a low content of succinic acid; occurs in the waters off Sicily... |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Amber associated with Phoridae | |
| 4 photos of Amber associated with Mycetophilidae | |
| 3 photos of Amber associated with Psychodidae | |
| 2 photos of Amber associated with Marcasite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Amber associated with Diatomite | |
| 2 photos of Amber associated with Coleoptera | |
| 2 photos of Amber associated with Bituminous-coal | |
| 2 photos of Amber associated with Araneidae | |
| 1 photo of Amber associated with Coal |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Amber
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-188.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Amber
Reference List:
Localities for Amber
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Anguilla | |
| Earle (1922) | |
Australia | |
| Jeffrey de Fourestier collection: ... |
| Kirejtshuk et al. (2008) |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| V. R. v. Zepharovich: Sitzungsber. kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 16:366 (1855) |
| Wessely (1908) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Winkler (2003) |
| Winkler (2003) |
| www.ambertop.de (n.d.) |
| On exhibit in the Museum "Haus der ... |
| Exel (1993) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Exel (1993) |
| A. Pichler: Jahrb. k. k. geol. Reichsanstalt (1868) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| J.Schadler et al. (Handschriftliche Aufzeichnungen) |
| H.Commenda |
| G.Geyer et al. (1911) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Gerhard Brandstetter et al. (2000) | |
Baltic Sea | |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
Canada | |
| www.alpinegems.net | |
| Mustoe (1985) |
| British Columbia Geological Survey +1 other reference | |
| Mason (1976) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Chang et al. (2023) |
| Huishu Wang (1989) |
| Chang et al. (2023) |
| www.smartminerals.com (2004) |
Colombia | |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection | |
Czech Republic | |
| Bouška |
| Bouška |
| Petr Fuchs | |
| Petr Fuchs specimen |
Denmark | |
| Langenheim J. H. (1969) +1 other reference |
Dominican Republic | |
| www.gplatt.demon.co.uk (n.d.) |
| www.gplatt.demon.co.uk (n.d.) |
| www.gplatt.demon.co.uk (n.d.) |
| Raúl Joreg Tauber Larry | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry | |
Ethiopia | |
| www.ambergallery.it |
France | |
| Belot (1978) |
| NÉRAUDEAU D. et al. (Albien terminal probable) |
| Vincent Perrichot 2014 (northwestern France) |
Germany | |
| Michael Meder collection |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
| Jahn (2013) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Rappsilber (2022) |
| Schellhorn (1993) +2 other references |
| Krumbiegel et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
Hungary | |
| Zechmeister (1926) +1 other reference |
India | |
| www.bbc.co.uk (2010) |
| www.bbc.co.uk (2010) | |
Indonesia | |
| Richard Gunter Collection | |
Israel | |
| George O. Poinar (1992) | |
| George O. Poinar (1992) |
| George O. Poinar (1992) | |
| George O. Poinar (1992) |
| George O. Poinar (1992) | |
Italy | |
| Mantovani P. (1877) +1 other reference |
| Bombicci (1890) +2 other references |
| Bombicci (1873) +3 other references |
| Bombicci (1873) |
| Malagoli (1884) +4 other references |
| Adorni et al. (2010) |
| Rimoli et al. (1998) +2 other references |
| Roghi G. et al. (2002) +2 other references |
| Roghi G. et al. (2004) +2 other references |
| Issel A. (1892) +1 other reference |
| Jervis (1881) +1 other reference |
| Jervis G. (1881) |
| Jervis G. (1881) | |
| Ferrara F. (1805) | |
| - (See "simetite" references) |
| Bombicci (1890) |
| Giardina G. (1998) |
| Scaccianoce (2018) |
| Scaccianoce (2018) |
| Koken E. (1913) +2 other references |
| Maffi et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Stoppani A. (1886) +1 other reference |
| Ragazzi E. et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
| Sammartino (2015-2016) |
| Sammartino (2015-2016) |
| Trevisani E. et al. (2011) +2 other references |
| Roghi et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Gianolla et al. (1998) +3 other references | |
| von Koken (1913) +2 other references | |
| Ragazzi E. et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
| Ragazzi E. (2003) +1 other reference | |
| Neri et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| Trevisani et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Boscardin et al. (1996) +2 other references |
| Ragazzi E. (2003) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Sadanaga et al. (1974) +1 other reference |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Ou'e Rikosya specimens |
| Sadanaga et al. (1974) |
| Kuji Amber Museum +2 other references |
| Kuji Amber Museum +2 other references | |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
Jordan | |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| George O. Poinar (1992) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Soriano (2009) | |
Latvia | |
| Dreimanis A. |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection | |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection | |
Lebanon | |
| George O. Poinar (1992) |
| George O. Poinar (1992) | |
Lithuania | |
| GEOCHRONOMETRIA 33 (2009) | |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection |
| GEOCHRONOMETRIA 33 (2009) |
| Ellen Chivers Davies (1937) |
Malaysia | |
| Szwedo (2002) |
Mexico | |
| Bryant (1983) |
| www.gemologyonline.com (n.d.) | |
| Bryant (1983) |
Myanmar | |
| Cruickshank et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Cruickshank et al. (2003) | |
| numerous well-labelled specimens on ... |
| Zheng et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Nyunt et al. (2021) | |
| Shi et al. (2023) |
| Nyunt et al. (2020) | |
Netherlands | |
| Krul (1969) |
| Krul (1969) |
| Gerard van der Veldt collection. | |
| Krul (1969) |
| Krul (1969) |
| Krul (1969) | |
| Krul (1969) |
| Krul (1969) |
New Zealand | |
| www.gumdiggerspark.co.nz (n.d.) |
| Seyfullah et al. (2015) |
| picssr.com (n.d.) |
| Dunstan Times newspaper (1875) |
| Ferguson et al. (2009) |
| Craw et al. (2015) |
Peru | |
| Hyrśl (2012) |
Poland | |
| Traube (1888) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Lis et al. (1986) | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Traube (1888) |
| Traube (1888) |
| Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny (PIG) |
| Woźny E. 1967 — Występowanie numulitów w bartonie z Siemienia koło Parczewa. Przegląd Geologiczny (In Polish) |
| Traube (1888) |
| Flamini A. et al. (1974) |
Portugal | |
| Rui Nunes' collection (some specimens collected by Rui Nunes) | |
| Rui Nunes' collection (some specimens collected by Rui Nunes) | |
| Rui Nunes' collection (some specimens collected by Rui Nunes) |
| Rui Nunes' collection (some specimens collected by Rui Nunes) | |
Romania | |
| Neacşu (2006) |
| Clark (1993) |
| Clark (1993) |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Princeton Museum Record ID 2359 | |
| Pekin et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| Penalver et al. (2007) |
| Rui Nunes 2018 | |
| Penalver et al. (2007) | |
| Rui Nunes' mineral collection (2018) |
| Najarro et al. (2010) |
| Rui Nunes 2018 |
| López (n.d.) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| Juan Miguel Casanova |
| Casanova Honrubia |
| Rui Nunes 2018 |
Sweden | |
| eg NRM 19010038 |
| The Swedish Museum of Natural History |
| Håkan Hansson photo |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Syria | |
Turkey | |
| various photographs | |
UK | |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Kirejtshuk et al. (2008) |
| Hall (1868) |
| Hall (1868) |
| Hall (1868) | |
| Hall (1868) | |
Ukraine | |
| - (n.d.) |
USA | |
| Ransom (1974) |
| Kunz |
| Dempsky (2010, March) |
| Rocks & Min.: 20:481. |
| Mason (1976) |
| Rocks & Min.: 63:110. |
| Mason (1976) |
| Murdoch (1934) +1 other reference |
| Kirejtshuk et al. (2008) |
| World of Amber | |
| ... |
| C. Lemanski (re-entry lost Mindat data) | |
| Kunz +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Robinson (1825) +1 other reference |
| Robinson (1825) +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Beste (2005) |
| Lowe (1919) |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Kunz |
| D. M. Schlegal (1959) |
| Kunz |
| D. M. Schlegal (1959) +1 other reference |
| The Minerals of NYC & Its Environs et al. (1931) |
| A Quest for New Jersey Minerals (1978) | |
| Manchester (1931) | |
| Manchester (1931) | |
| Manchester (1931) +1 other reference |
| D. M. Schlegal (1959) |
| Combining Science and Education. Maps ... +1 other reference |
| Manchester (1931) +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Minerals 82:472-483 +1 other reference |
| Sinkankas (1976) |
| World of Amber | |
| Genth (1891) +1 other reference | |
| World of Amber | |
| |
| |
| Zeitner (1968) |
| www.omsinc.org (2008) |
| Smith (1991) | |
| BEG Rept Invest 42 |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:383 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:384 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:390 |
Carnikava Beach, Carnikava Parish, Ādaži Municipality, Vidzeme Region, Latvia