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Fossil tree resin · organic gem · 2 to 2.5

Amber

Updated

A piece of golden amber.
A piece of golden amber. Photo: Hannes Grobe, CC BY-SA 2.5.

Amber is fossilised tree resin, not a mineral: sticky resin from ancient trees hardened over millions of years, sometimes trapping insects and leaves. Most amber jewellery is Baltic amber, around 40 million years old, and the Kaliningrad region of Russia on the Baltic coast supplies most of the world's amber. Amber is very light (it floats in strongly salted water, where glass sinks), soft at 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale, and warm to the touch. Fakes are common: plastic, glass, copal (younger, not fully fossilised resin) and "pressed amber" made from small pieces fused together, so test before you trust a cheap listing.

From the ground to your hand

From the rock to the finished piece. Where gems are mined.

  1. 01 In the ground (step 1 of 4)

    The Primorsky amber quarry at Yantarny in Kaliningrad, Russia, the largest amber mine in the world.

    The Primorsky amber quarry at Yantarny in Kaliningrad, Russia, the largest amber mine in the world.

    Real specimen. Photo: АО «Калининградский янтарный комбинат», CC BY-SA 4.0.

  2. 02 Raw (step 2 of 4)

    Raw Baltic amber: hardened resin with a rough, weathered skin.

    Raw Baltic amber: hardened resin with a rough, weathered skin.

    Real specimen. Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0.

  3. 03 Polished (step 3 of 4)

    Polished amber beads with insects trapped inside, millions of years ago.

    Polished amber beads with insects trapped inside, millions of years ago.

    Real specimen. Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0.

  4. 04 Set (step 4 of 4)

    A polished oval of Baltic amber set in sterling silver.

    A polished oval of Baltic amber set in sterling silver.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

What it is
Fossilised tree resin (organic gem)
Hardness
2 to 2.5, softer than a coin
Age
Baltic amber about 40 million years
Main source
Kaliningrad, on the Baltic coast
Floats?
Yes, in strongly salted water
Insects caught in Baltic amber about 40 million years ago.
Insects caught in Baltic amber about 40 million years ago. Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Is it real amber?

Quick ways to tell real amber from fakes
Test or listing wordWhat it tells you
Salt water (about 1 part salt to 4 parts water)Real amber floats; glass sinks. Some plastics float too, so this only rules out glass and heavy fakes
Hot needle on a hidden spotReal amber gives off a piney, resin smell; plastic smells chemical or acrid. It can mark the stone, so test loose pieces only
UV (black) lightReal amber usually glows a milky blue-white; most plastic and glass stay dull
"Copal" or "young amber"Younger resin that is not fully fossilised; a drop of acetone makes copal sticky but leaves amber unharmed
"Pressed" or "reconstructed" amberSmall amber pieces heated and pressed together: real amber, but not one natural piece, and worth less
Perfect insects, huge and centredOften a modern insect set in plastic or copal; real are usually small and imperfect

Our picks name genuine Baltic amber and passed our listing checks. Insect-in-amber pieces for a few dollars are almost always plastic or copal, and listings that promise health benefits are making claims we do not repeat.

Treatments. Most Baltic amber jewellery is heated: gentle heat clears cloudy amber and can create the sparkly disc-shaped cracks called "sun spangles". Green and very dark "cherry" amber are usually heat-treated in pressure ovens. These treatments are normal and stable, but a good seller says so. Amber is soft and melts easily, so keep it away from perfume, hairspray, hot water and sharp knocks, and store it apart from harder jewellery. All gem treatments explained.

Where amber is found

Pins mark mining districts, not exact mines. Drag to move, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a pin to read about it. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

List of every place on the map (4)
  • Amber: Yantarny, Kaliningrad, Russia. The Primorsky quarry, the largest amber mine in the world; most Baltic amber comes from this coast.
  • Amber: Cordillera Septentrional, Dominican Republic. Dominican amber, known for clear pieces and rare "blue amber". Position approximate.
  • Amber: Simojovel, Chiapas, Mexico. Mexican amber, mined by hand in small tunnels.
  • Amber: Hukawng Valley, Kachin, Myanmar. Burmese amber (burmite), about 99 million years old. Position approximate.

How is amber cut?

Amber is too soft to facet well, so it is usually polished into , beads and freeform shapes that keep its natural flow lines. Because it is so light, even large amber pendants and long bead necklaces are comfortable to wear. See cuts from easiest to hardest and whether cutting your own is cheaper than buying cut.

Which amber should you buy?

Listing photos; prices are rounded. How we choose.

Amazon prices as of . Prices and availability are accurate as of that date and time and are subject to change; the price shown on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.

The Gem Museum: famous jewelsIs it real? Home gem testsGem treatments explained

Your kit for amber

Tools to check your stone →

LookGemOro 10x triplet loupeabout $15LookDARKBEAM filtered 365 nm UV flashlightabout $13HandleHonoson locking tweezers, 3 packabout $10StoreTeensery gem display boxes with clear lids, 10 packabout $9ShowComXim motorized turntable, adjustable speed and directionabout $14MeasureGemOro Platinum XP500 pocket scale, 0.01 gabout $40

In short

Amber is fossilised tree resin, light enough to float in strongly salted water and soft enough to scratch. Most jewellery amber is heat-treated Baltic amber, which is normal. Test cheap pieces with salt water, UV light or a hot needle on a hidden spot, and be wary of perfect insects and "copal" sold as amber.

See our first pick: Amberta Baltic amber oval pendant, 925 sterling silver

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you tell if amber is real?

Drop a loose piece into strongly salted water (about 1 part salt to 4 parts water): real amber floats and glass sinks, though some plastics float too. Under a UV light real amber usually glows milky blue-white. A hot needle touched to a hidden spot gives off a piney resin smell on real amber and a chemical smell on plastic.

What is the difference between amber and copal?

Both are hardened tree resin, but copal is much younger and not fully fossilised. It is softer and turns sticky under a drop of acetone, which does not affect amber. Copal is often sold as amber, especially pieces with large, perfect insects.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

The US Food and Drug Administration warns against teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber ones, because of the risk of choking and strangulation, so we do not list them. Amber jewellery for adults is fine.

Sources

Photo credits

  • amber-kaliningrad-quarry.webp: АО «Калининградский янтарный комбинат», CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • amber-resinite-baltic.webp: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • amber-necklace-insects.webp: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • amber-insects-baltic.webp: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Product photos: Amazon listings, via the Amazon Product Advertising (Creators) API.

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