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Amber

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Big Photo

Gdansk (Danzig), Pomorskie, Poland
© Marco Barsanti

Show Amber Photos (85)



Hardness:2 - 2½


A fossil 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.

Classification of Amber

Strunz 8th edition ID:9/C.01-10

9 : Organic Compounds
C : Resins and other compounds
01 : Bernstein series
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Physical Properties of Amber

Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½

Other Names for Amber

Synonyms:
AllingiteAmbarAmbroidAmbroiteChryselectrum
GlessumGlesumLyncuriumLynx-stoneSuccinite
Other Languages:
Arabic:كهرمان
Asturian:Ámbar
Belarusian:Бурштын
Bosnian (Latin Script):Ćilibar
Catalan:Ambre
Czech:Jantar
Danish:Rav
Dutch:Barnsteen
Esperanto:Sukceno
Estonian:Merevaik
Finnish:Meripihka
French:Ambre
Galician:Ámbar
German:Bernstein
Agstein
Aidstein
Allingit
Ambroit
Grabstein
Succinit
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:Barnsteen
Norwegian (Bokmål):Rav
Persian:کهربا
Polish:Bursztyn
Portuguese:Âmbar
Romanian:Chihlimbar
Russian:Янтарь
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Ћилибар
Serbo-Croatian:Jantar
Simplified Chinese:琥珀
Slovak:Jantár
Slovenian:Jantar
Spanish:Ámbar
Allingita
Ambroita
Succinita
Swedish:Bärnsten
Tamil:அம்பர்
Thai:อำพัน
Turkish:Kehribar
Ukrainian:Бурштин
Vietnamese:Hổ phách
Welsh:Ambr
Varieties:
AlmashiteAmbrosineBacaliteBurmiteDelatynite
DuxiteGedaniteJaulingiteJeliniteKochenite
MunkteniteMuntenitePlaffeiiteRosthornite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Amber

Reference List:

- +
Flamini A., Graziani G., Grubessi O. (1974) - Inclusi di solfuro di ferro nelle ambre baltiche. Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 331-338

Internet Links for Amber

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    • Specimens:The following Amber specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
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    • Localities for Amber

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Atlantic Ocean
     
    Van King
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Guttaring
    		[var: Rosthornite] G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
      • Lavant valley
        • Wolfsberg
          • St Stefan im Lavanttal
    		[var: Jaulingite] G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
      • Saualpe Mts
        • Görtschitz valley
          • Klein St Paul
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    • Lower Austria
      • Industrieviertel
        • Berndorf
          • St Veit an der Triesting
    		[var: Jaulingite] V. R. v. Zepharovich: Sitzungsber. kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 16:366 (1855)
      • Mostviertel
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Styria
      • Köflach
    		[var: Jaulingite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Wies
          • Eibiswald
    		[var: Rosthornite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Tyrol
      • North Tyrol
        • Inn valley
          • Jenbach
    		[var: Kochenite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
          • Kramsach
    		[var: Kochenite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
          • Telfs
    		[var: Kochenite] A. Pichler: Jahrb. k. k. geol. Reichsanstalt (1868)
    Burma (Myanmar)
     
    • Kachin State
    numerous well-labelled specimens on sale at Kyoto show, 2010
      • Myitkyina-Mogaung District
    Canada
     
    www.alpinegems.net
    • Manitoba
    		George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    China
     
    • Henan Province
      • Nanyang Prefecture
    		Huishu Wang (1989): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 9(4), 338-344
    • Liaoning Province (Manchuria; Dongbei Region)
      • Fushun Prefecture
        • Wanghua District
    		http://www.smartminerals.com/cina2004/art_China_localities.htm
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Ústí Region
        • Bílina (Bilin)
    		[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
        • Kadaň (Kaaden)
          • Tušimice
    		[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
        • Most
    		[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
    [var: Duxite] Petr Fuchs
    Dominican Republic
     
    • Hato Mayor Province
    		http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
    • Sánchez Ramírez Province
      • Cotuí
    		http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
    • Santiago Province
    		http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
    Germany
     
    • Brandenburg
      • Eberswalde-Finow
        • Ruhlsdorf
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    • Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
      • Wolgast
        • Usedom Island
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Bitterfeld
    		[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    • Schleswig-Holstein
      • Eiderstedt Peninsula
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
      • Schwarzenbek
        • Groß Pampau
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
      • Sylt Island
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    India
     
    • Gujarat
      • Anand District
    		http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11618809
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11618809
    Israel
     
    • Golan Heights
    		George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    • Negev
      • Northern Negev
    		George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    • Northern District (HaZafon District)
    		George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    Italy
     
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Parma Province
        • Varano de' Melegari
          • Ceno Valley
    		Adorni, F., Battilocchi, G., Bersani, D. & Calderini, V. (2010). Le septarie dell'Appennino Parmense. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 222-241.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Chiba Prefecture
    		Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
        • Ibaraki Prefecture
          • Kita-Ibaraki City
    		Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
        • Tokyo Prefecture
          • Hachioji City
    		Alfredo Petrov specimen
      • Tohoku Region
        • Iwate Prefecture
    		Kuji Amber Museum; American Museum of Natural History (New York)
    Jordan
     
    George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Southern Kazakhstan Province (Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy; Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
    Latvia
     
    Lebanon
     
    George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
    Lithuania
     
    • Klaipėda County
      • Neringa municipality
        • Neringa
          • Curonian Spit
    • Telšiai County
      • Varniai
    Malaysia
     
    • Borneo Island
      • Sarawak
    Mexico
     
    • Chiapas
      • Mun. de San Cristobal de Las Casas
    Netherlands
     
    Gerard van der Veldt collection.
    Poland
     
    • Pomorskie
    		Flamini A., Graziani G., Grubessi O. (1974) - Inclusi di solfuro di ferro nelle ambre baltiche. Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 331-338 [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    Portugal
     
    • Lisboa District
      • Lisbon
    		Rui Nunes
    Romania
     
    • Neamt Co.
      • Piatra
    		[var: Almashite] No reference listed
    • Vâlcea Co.
    		[var: Muntenite] No reference listed
    Russia
     
    • North-Western Region
      • Kaliningradskaya Oblast'
        • Jantarny (Yantarny; Palmnicken)
    Slovakia
     
    • Prešov Region
      • Poprad Co.
        • Tatranská Javorina
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Spain
     
    • Cantabria
      • Reocín
    		Collect. José Rafael González López
    • Valencian Community
      • Alicante
        • Agost
    		Juan Miguel Casanova
        • Alicante Co.
          • Serreta Llarga
    		Casanova Honrubia, Juan Miguel & Canseco Caballé, Manuel, 2002, Minerales de la Comunidad Valenciana : 237 p. Ed. Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo. Alicante
    Sweden
     
    • Skåne
      • Svedala
    		eg NRM 19010038
      • Vellinge
    		The Swedish Museum of Natural History, Bergskollegiums collection # 18572969, 18572970
    Syria
    Williamson, 1932. Book of Amber
    Turkey
     
    various photographs
    Ukraine
     
    • L'viv Oblast' (Lviv Oblast'; Lwiw Oblast')
    		Natural History Museum Vienna collection
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Aleutians East Borough
    		Kunz, 1898. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.202.
      • Northwest Arctic Borough
        • Fairhaven District
    		Rocks & Min.: 20:481.
    • Arkansas
      • Hot Spring Co.
        • Perla
    		Rocks & Min.: 63:110.
    • California
      • Ventura Co.
        • Simi Valley
    		Murdoch, Joseph (1934), Amber in California: Journal of Geology: 42: 309-310; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 63.
    World of Amber
    • Kansas
    		[var: Jelinite] www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/geograph.htm
    C. Lemanski, Jr. (re-entry lost Mindat data).
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel Co.
        • Arnold
          • Magothy River
    		 Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.199.
    • Massachusetts
      • Dukes Co.
        • Martha's Vineyard
    		Robinson, Samuel (1825): A Catalogue of American Minerals, with Their Localities, p.49.
      • Nantucket Co.
    		 Robinson, Samuel (1825): A Catalogue of American Minerals, with Their Localities, p. 62.
    • Mississippi
      • Tallahatchie Co.
      • Tishomingo Co.
    • New Jersey
      • Burlington Co.
    		 Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.200.
    Gems and Minerals of America - Jay Ellis Ransom-1974
      • Gloucester Co.
        • Harrisonville
    		Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.201.
      • Mercer Co.
        • Hamilton Township
    		A Quest for New Jersey Minerals, Robert Speiser(1978).
      • Middlesex Co.
        • New Brunswick
    		The Minerals of NYC & Its Environs, NY Min. Club Bull. Vol. 3, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 68.
    A Quest for New Jersey Minerals, Robert Speiser(1978).
    The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull. Vol. 5, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 92.
    The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull. Vol. 5, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 92.
      • Monmouth Co.
        • Belmar
    		The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull. Vol. 5, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 91; A Quest for New Jersey Minerals, Robert Speiser(1978).
    Gems and Minerals of America - Jay Ellis Ransom-1974
    The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull. Vol. 3, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 84.
      • New York City
        • Staten Island (Richmond Co.)
    		The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull., Vol. 3, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 59.; Rocks & Minerals 82:472-483
    • North Carolina
    		World of Amber
    World of Amber
    World of Amber
    • Rhode Island
      • Washington Co.
        • New Shoreham
          • Block Island
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston Co.
    		[var: Ambrosine]
    • Tennessee
      • Hardin Co.
    		Zeitner ,1968. Appalachian Mineral & Gem Trails
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Alpine
    		http://www.omsinc.org/archives/Ore-cutts_Jan04.pdf
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
      • Maverick Co.
    		BEG Rept Invest 42
    • Washington
      • Chelan Co.
        • Wenatchee District
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.40
      • King Co.
        • Issaquah
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.41
    • Wyoming
      • Campbell Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:383
      • Carbon Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:384
      • Teton Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:390
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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