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Amber

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Gdansk (Danzig), Pomorskie, Poland
© Marco Barsanti

Show Amber Photos (146)

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.

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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:

Allingite	Ambar	Ambroid	Ambroite	Chryselectrum
Glessum	Glesum	Lyncurium	Lynx-stone	Succinite

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:

Almashite	Ambrosine	Bacalite	Burmite	Delatynite
Duxite	Gedanite	Jaulingite	Jelinite	Kochenite
Munktenite	Muntenite	Plaffeiite	Rosthornite	Simetite

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

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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.


Austria
Carinthia Friesach - Hüttenberg area Guttaring Sonnberg	[var: Rosthornite] G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
Saualpe Görtschitz valley Klein St Paul Sittenberg	G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
Wolfsberg St Stefan Lignite deposit	[var: Jaulingite] G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
Lower Austria Industrieviertel Berndorf St Veit an der Triesting Jauling	[var: Jaulingite] V. R. v. Zepharovich: Sitzungsber. kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 16:366 (1855)
Mostviertel Wilhelmsburg	R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
Salzburg Salzburg Anthering - Muntigl area Sandstone quarries	On exhibit in the Museum "Haus der Natur", Salzburg.
Styria Köflach Köflach - Voitsberg lignite deposit	[var: Jaulingite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
Koralpe Wies Eibiswald Lignite deposit	[var: Rosthornite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
Tyrol North Tyrol Inn valley Jenbach Pertisau	[var: Kochenite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
Kramsach Brandenberg	[var: Kochenite] R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
Telfs Kochen valley	[var: Kochenite] A. Pichler: Jahrb. k. k. geol. Reichsanstalt (1868)
Upper Austria Gmunden	Peter Neschen specimen
Kirchdorf an der Krems Windischgarsten Roßleiten	- J.Schadler, in: Bernstein, in Steinkohle der Oberkreide mit wenig Schwefelkies und gelben Anflug von Realgar. (Handschriftliche Aufzeichnungen).
Walchegg	- H.Commenda, in: Übersicht der Gesteine und Mineralien Oberösterreichs. 1. Gesteine. Heimatgaue, Zeitschrift für oberösterreichische Geschichte, Landes - und Volkskunde 7, Heft 1, Linz 1926, Seite 41 – 65.
Steyr-Land Weyer Mühlein	- G.Geyer, in: Erläuterungen zur Geologischen Karte SW - Gruppe 12, Weyer. Kaiserlich & königliche Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Wien (1911).
Steyr Michaeler church	Peter Neschen Collection
Zwischenbrücken	- Gerhard Brandstetter, in: Mineralogische und paläontologische Notizen aus Oberösterreich. OÖ Geonachrichten, Beiträge zur Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie von Oberösterreich.15. Jahrgang (2000), Seite 16 – 22, 7 Abbbildungen. MFOÖ Mineralien - und Fossiliensammler Oberösterreichs mit ARGE Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie im Oberösterreichischen Landesmuseum.

Baltic Sea	Van King


Burma (Myanmar)	Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.

Kachin State Myitkyina District Hukawng Valley
Tanai Township (Tanaing Township) Maingkwan
Tanai Amber diggings	numerous well-labelled specimens on sale at Kyoto show, 2010

Canada
Alberta	www.alpinegems.net
British Columbia Similkameen Mining Division Princeton	Simandl, G.J. (2009): Nonmetallic minerals other than coal: Industrial minerals, gemstones and aggregate in British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Geological Survey, Paper 2009‐2, pages.
Manitoba Cedar Lake	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)

China
Henan Province Nanyang Prefecture Xixia Co.	Huishu Wang (1989): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 9(4), 338-344
Liaoning Province (Manchuria; Dongbei Region) Fushun Prefecture Wanghua District Fushun Mine	http://www.smartminerals.com/cina2004/art_China_localities.htm

Czech Republic
Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen) Ústí Region Bílina (Bilin) Bílina coal mine	[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
Kadaň (Kaaden) Tušimice Nástup Quarry	[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
Most Komořany (Kommern)	[var: Duxite] Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
Vrsany	[var: Duxite] Petr Fuchs

Denmark	http://www.ravsiden.dk/ ; Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.


Dominican Republic
Hato Mayor Province Sabana de la Mar (Sabana)	http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
Sánchez Ramírez Province Cotuí Lignite deposits	http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
Santiago Province Cordillera Septentrional	http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/dominica.htm
Santiago de Los Caballeros	Raúl Joreg Tauber Larry
La Toca Mine	Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry

Ethiopia
Amhara Province Semien Shewa Mida (Midda) Amber occurrence	www.ambergallery.it

Germany
Brandenburg Eberswalde-Finow Ruhlsdorf Gravel quarry	A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
Rüdersdorf Limestone quarries	Jahn, S. (2013): Der Kalksteinbruch Rüdersdorf bei Berlin. Mineralien-Welt 24 (3), 44-88.
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Wolgast Usedom Island Stubbenfelde	A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
Saxony-Anhalt Bitterfeld Goitsche open cast	[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]; Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.
Schleswig-Holstein Eiderstedt Peninsula St Peter-Ording	A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
Schwarzenbek Groß Pampau Ohle gravel pit	A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
Sylt Island Red Cliff	A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
Thuringia Gera Ronneburg U deposit Lichtenberg open cast	Andreas Gerstenberg collection

India
Gujarat Anand District Tadkeshwar mine	http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11618809
Vastan mine	http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11618809

Israel
Golan Heights Mt Hermon	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
Kokhav	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
Naftali Mts	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
Negev Northern Negev Barboor	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
Northern District (HaZafon District) Kiryat Shmona (Qiryat Shemona)	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)

Italy
Emilia-Romagna Parma Province Varano de' Melegari Ceno Valley I Camilloni	Adorni, F., Battilocchi, G., Bersani, D. & Calderini, V. (2010). Le septarie dell'Appennino Parmense. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 222-241.
Sicily Catania Province Catania Simeto river mouth	Speranza Cavenago-Bignami Moneta (1980) Gemmologia. Hoepli Ed., Milano at pag 1254; Mineralogical and Petrographical Museum of University of Bologna specimens.

Japan
Hokkaido Sorachi Province Mikasa City Ponbetsu Sunago colliery	Alfredo Petrov specimen
Honshu Island Kanto Region Chiba Prefecture Choushi City (Choshi City)	Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo; Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.
Ibaraki Prefecture Kita-Ibaraki City Hanakawa	Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
Tokyo Prefecture Hachioji City Asagawa	Alfredo Petrov specimen
Tohoku Region Iwate Prefecture Kuji City	Kuji Amber Museum; American Museum of Natural History (New York); Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.

Jordan
Wadi Zerka	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)

Kazakhstan
Southern Kazakhstan Province (Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy; Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast') Shymkent (Chimkent)

Latvia

Kurzeme Region Nīca Municipality	Dreimanis A., Liepiņš P. 1942. Latvijas minerāli un ieži. Rīga, Universitātes apgāds, 312 lpp.

Lebanon
Dar al-Baidha (Dar el Beida)	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)
Jezzine District	George O. Poinar (1992) Life in Amber. (Stanford University Press)

Lithuania
Klaipėda County Neringa municipality Neringa Curonian Spit Curonian Lagoon	GEOCHRONOMETRIA 33 (2009), pp 33-36
Juodkrantė	GEOCHRONOMETRIA 33 (2009), pp 33-36
Kuršiai Lagoon (Curonian Lagoon)
Telšiai County Varniai Lake Lukstas	Ellen Chivers Davies (1937) A wayfarer in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Malaysia
Borneo Island Sarawak Merit Pila Coal Mine	Szwedo, J. (2002). Amber and amber inclusions of planthoppers, leafhoppers and their relatives (Hemiptera, Archaeorrhyncha et Clypaeorrhyncha). Zikaden. Leafhoppers, planthoppers and cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Denisia, 4, 37-56.

Mexico
Chiapas Mun. de San Cristobal de Las Casas San Cristobal de Las Casas

Netherlands
Noord-Holland	Gerard van der Veldt collection.

Peru
Amazonas Department Santiago river Amber occurrence	J. Hyrsl (2012) Gemstones of Peru, p. 33

Poland
Pomorskie Gdansk (Danzig)	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
Lisbon District	Rui Nunes collection
Cascais	Rui Nunes

Romania
Neamt Co. Piatra Almas Valley	[var: Almashite] No reference listed
Vâlcea Co. Olanesti	[var: Muntenite] No reference listed

Russia
Central Region Moscow Oblast' (Moskovskaya Oblast') Moscow ?	Pekin, A. (2011) Minerals of Moscow. Russian Journal of General Chemistry. Jun2011, Vol. 81 Issue 6, p1381-1391.
Far-Eastern Region Sakhalinskaya Oblast' Sakhalin Island Dolinsky district Starodubskoye Starodubskoe amber deposit	Pavel M. Kartashov data
Yantarnaya river	Pavel M. Kartashov data
North-Western Region Kaliningradskaya Oblast' Yantarny (Jantarny; Palmnicken) Primorskoe (Pal'mnickenskoe) amber deposit	Pavel M. Kartashov data
Anna Amber mine

Slovakia
Prešov Region Poprad Co. Tatranská Javorina Podspády	Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k

Spain
Cantabria Reocín Reocín Mine	Collect. José Rafael González López
Valencian Community Alicante Agost Sierra del Castellar	Juan Miguel Casanova
Alicante Co. Serreta Llarga Cemex quarries	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 Börringe	eg NRM 19010038
Vellinge Skanör	The Swedish Museum of Natural History, Bergskollegiums collection # 18572969, 18572970

Switzerland
Fribourg (Freiburg) Oberschrot Plasselbschlund	[var: Plaffeiite] Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 491

Syria	Williamson, 1932. Book of Amber


Turkey
South-Eastern Anatolia Region	various photographs

UK
England Greater London Kensington	Hall, T.M. (1868): The Mineralogist's Directory. Edward Stanford (London), 168 pp.
Isle of Wight Freshwater Norton	Hall, T.M. (1868): The Mineralogist's Directory. Edward Stanford (London), 168 pp.
Kent	Hall, T.M. (1868): The Mineralogist's Directory. Edward Stanford (London), 168 pp.
Norfolk	Hall, T.M. (1868): The Mineralogist's Directory. Edward Stanford (London), 168 pp.

Ukraine
L'viv Oblast' (Lviv Oblast'; Lwiw Oblast') Klyosovskoe amber deposit	Natural History Museum Vienna collection

USA
Alaska Aleutians East Borough Fox Islands	Kunz, 1898. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.202.
Northwest Arctic Borough Fairhaven District Chicago Creek Coal Mine	Rocks & Min.: 20:481.
Arkansas Hot Spring Co. Perla Malvern clay pits	Rocks & Min.: 63:110.
California Ventura Co. Simi Valley Northeast side of 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.
Delaware	World of Amber
Kansas Ellsworth Co.	[var: Jelinite] www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/geograph.htm
Smoky Hill River amber locality	C. Lemanski, Jr. (re-entry lost Mindat data).
Maryland Anne Arundel Co. Arnold Magothy River Cape Sable	Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.199.
Massachusetts Dukes Co. Martha's Vineyard Aquinnah Gay Head Cliffs	Robinson, Samuel (1825): A Catalogue of American Minerals, with Their Localities, p.49.
Nantucket Co. Nantucket	Robinson, Samuel (1825): A Catalogue of American Minerals, with Their Localities, p. 62.
Mississippi Tallahatchie Co. Charleston
Tishomingo Co. Paden
New Jersey Burlington Co. Southampton Township Vincentown	Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.200.
Camden Co.	Gems and Minerals of America - Jay Ellis Ransom-1974
Gloucester Co. South Harrison Township Harrisonville Old Man's Creek	Kunz,1892. Gems & Precious Stones of N. America, p.201.
Mercer Co. Hamilton Township Crosswicks Creek	A Quest for New Jersey Minerals, Robert Speiser(1978).
Middlesex Co. New Brunswick Burnt Woods	The Minerals of NYC & Its Environs, NY Min. Club Bull. Vol. 3, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 68.
Sayreville	A Quest for New Jersey Minerals, Robert Speiser(1978).
South Amboy Borough	The Minerals of New York City & Its Environs, New York Mineralogical Club Bull. Vol. 5, No. 1, Manchester, J.G. (1931): 92.
South River Borough	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 (Belmar Borough) Shark River	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).
Salem Co.	Gems and Minerals of America - Jay Ellis Ransom-1974
New York	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.) Kreischerville	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 Beaufort Co. North Carolina Phosphate District Aurora Texas Gulf Sulphur Phosphate Quarry	Sinkankas, J. (1976) Gemstones of North America, Vol. 2, p 351.
Brunswick Co.	World of Amber
Pitt Co.	Genth, F.A.,1891,The Minerals Of North Carolina:USGS Bulletion No.74
Wayne Co.	World of Amber
Rhode Island Washington Co. New Shoreham Block Island Black Rock Point
South Carolina Charleston Co. Charleston	[var: Ambrosine]
Tennessee Hardin Co. Coffee Bluff	Zeitner ,1968. Appalachian Mineral & Gem Trails
Texas Brewster Co. Alpine Woodward Ranch ?	http://www.omsinc.org/archives/Ore-cutts_Jan04.pdf
Terlingua Creek	R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
Maverick Co. Eagle Pass	BEG Rept Invest 42
Washington Chelan Co. Wenatchee District Wenatchee	Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.40
King Co. Issaquah Tiger Mountain	Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.41
Wyoming Campbell Co. Wyodak Coal seams	Rocks & Minerals 76:383
Carbon Co. Hanna Basin	Rocks & Minerals 76:384
Teton Co. Jackson Hole area	Rocks & Minerals 76:390

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Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. 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 thousands 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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