GEMSTONE SPECIES - ORGANIC

Amber is fossilized tree resin (not sap) that has hardened over millions of years. It is prized for its warm colours and occasional inclusions (e.g., insects and plant matter). It’s an organic gem rather than a mineral.

Formation & Inclusions: The resin exuded by ancient trees trapped small organisms or debris, which was then buried and polymerized over 20 - 100+ million years. Inclusions make each piece unique and highly collectible.

 AMBER VARIETIES BY ORIGIN :

--> Baltic Amber
--> Dominican Amber
--> Mexican Amber
--> Burmese (Burmite) Amber
--> Lebanese Amber 

Colour Variants & Special Types:
Blue Amber --> Mostly Dominican; under sunlight appears normal, but shows vivid blue glow under UV or certain lighting.
Green Amber -->  Found in the Dominican Republic and Mexico; greenish body tone or induced by heat.
Cherry/Red Amber --> Dominican or Mexican; deeper red hues from oxidation or specific botanical origin.
White/Bone Amber --> Highly weathered opaque amber (often called “bone” or “mammoth ivory” by appearance), used in carvings.
Black Amber --> Very dark, often opaque; usually less valued unless carving. 

Key Facts:
Colour --> Pale yellow, honey, cognac, deep orange, red-brown; rare “blue” or “green” flashes in some deposits (e.g., Dominican).
Hardness --> 2 - 2.5 on the Mohs scale; quite soft.
Lustre --> Resinous to subvitreous when polished.
Transparency --> Transparent to opaque; clarity varies with inclusions and age.

Sources:
Baltic Amber (Europe) --> Classic honey and cognac tones; often contains plant debris.
Dominican Amber (Caribbean) -->  Known for clearer material and occasional “blue” or green fluorescence.
Other locations --> Mexican, Burmese, Lebanese: Other notable deposits with distinct hues or inclusions

Treatments & Imitations:
Stabilization --> Cracks may be filled with resin to prevent further splitting.
Smoking/Heating --> Can deepen color.
Dyeing --> Occasionally used to enhance or change hue. Disclosure is important.
Imitations --> Plastics or pressed “reconstituted” amber exist; genuine amber floats in saltwater, scratches easily, and shows characteristic inclusions or fluorescence under UV.

Value Factors:
Colour & Clarity --> Rich, even tones and transparent pieces with interesting inclusions are prized.
Inclusions -->  Well-preserved insects or rare flora raise value significantly.
Size & Shape -->  Larger, well-polished pieces in stable condition command higher prices.
Origin -->  Baltic and Dominican ambers are most sought after.

Amber’s appeal lies in its organic warmth, ancient origin, and the possibility of entrapped prehistoric life. As a soft, treated or untreated resin gem, it requires gentle care and ethical sourcing, but offers a unique connection to Earth’s deep past and a distinctive look in jewelry and collections.