Overview
About Amber
The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.
Birthstones & Anniversaries
While amber isn’t a birthstone, it is associated with the astrological sign of Taurus.320 million
The oldest amber dates to the Upper Carboniferous Period (approximately 320 million years ago).
6 Tons
The Amber Room, a 1716 gift presented to Russia’s Peter the Great, was made from six tons of amber.
Time Capsule
1,000 extinct animal species as well as various types of plant matter have been identified in amber.
Facts 1
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Organic, not mineral:
Fossilized resin
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Chemistry:
C10H16O
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Color:
Yellow, orange, and brown
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Refractive index:
1.540
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Specific gravity:
1.08
- Mohs Hardness: 2.0 to 2.5
Treatments
There are a number of processes used to alter the color, apparent clarity, or improve the durability of gems.
Learn MoreSynthetics
Some gemstones have synthetic counterparts that have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties, but are grown by man in a laboratory.
Learn MoreImitations
Any gem can be imitated—sometimes by manmade materials or by natural materials chosen by man to impersonate a particular gem.
Learn More
Why We Love This Gemstone
Interesting Inclusions
With inclusions like insects, lizards, leaves, flowers, and feathers, amber helps scientists study ancient ecosystems.
Jurassic Gem
Although the movie Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists extracted DNA from insects enclosed in 120-million year old amber.
Fragrant
Amber smells good when you rub it. Although an oil made from burned amber was used in scents in ancient times, it isn’t used in perfume today.
Quality Factors
Assessment of the following characteristics determines amber’s value.
Color
Amber comes in more colors than “amber.” Rare pieces can even be blue or green.
Clarity
Amber with insect or plant inclusions is much more valuable than amber with none.
Cut
Most amber is polished in free-form shapes, cabochons or beads.
Carat Weight
Amber is surprisingly light: in fact, it will float in a saturated salt solution.
Amber Quality Factors: The Comprehensive Guide
Research
Explore sources, gemological research, and the role of gems in history.
Inclusions in Burmese Amber
Victoria Raynaud, Vincent Pardieu, and Wim Vertriest , Aug 3, 2016 Read Article
Experimental Studies on the Heat Treatment of Baltic Amber
Yamei Wang, Mingxing Yang, and Yiping Yang , Jul 25, 2014 Read Article
Composite Amber with an Unusual Structure
Jie Liang, Haibo Li, Taijin Lu, Meidong Shen, and Jun Zhang , Jan 31, 2014 Read ArticleRecommended Reading
Amber: the Golden Gem of the Ages
Patty C. Rice
Amber: Window to the Past
David A Grimaldi
