What are the differences between amber and fossilized resin?

Amber and fossilized resin, although often confused with each other, have different properties and formation processes. Here are the main differences between amber and fossilized resin:

Amber

Definition:

• Amber is an organic mineral formed by the fossilization of the resin of ancient trees. It is usually obtained from pine trees (especially Pinus succinea) and is formed by the fossilization of resin over millions of years.

Formation Process:

• The resin comes out of the tree and hardens through contact with environmental factors (air, water, soil).
• Over millions of years, this hardened resin fossilizes under the influence of pressure and temperature underground and turns into amber.

Color and Appearance:

• Amber usually ranges in color from yellow to brown and even red. White, green, blue and black amber can also be found.
• It can be transparent or opaque and often contains fossilized plant and insect remains.

Physical Features:

• Density: 1.05-1.10 g/cm³
• Hardness: 2-3 on the Mohs hardness scale
• Gloss: Resinous gloss

Fossilized Resin

Definition:

• Fossilized resin is a general term that includes fossilized plant resins other than amber. These resins are generally less well known than amber and may be of younger formation.

Formation Process:

• Fossilized resin is also formed by the hardening and fossilization of tree resin, although this process may have occurred more quickly than in amber.
• Fossilized resin may have fossilized over hundreds of thousands of years, rather than millions of years like amber.

Color and Appearance:

• Its color variety can be as wide as that of amber, but it generally does not offer as rich a range of colors as ambergris.
• It can be transparent or semi-transparent and generally does not carry as many internal inclusions as amber.

Physical Features:

• The density and hardness can be similar to amber, but is generally less durable.

Main Differences

1. Age and Formation Period:

   • Amber is resin that has usually fossilized millions of years ago.
   • Fossilized resin may have fossilized more recently and is generally younger than amber.

2. Chemical Composition:

   • Amber may have a specific chemical structure and can be identified by various chemical tests.
   • Fossilized resin may have a wider range of chemical composition and show different test results than amber.

3. Durability and Hardness:

   • Amber is more durable than fossilized resin and generally has higher values ​​on the Mohs hardness scale.
   • Fossilized resin may be softer and less resistant to environmental factors.

Resources and More Information

1. Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
2. Mindat.org
3. International Gem Society (IGS)

Amber and fossilized resin are materials of great interest, both aesthetically and scientifically. Knowing these differences is important for the evaluation and correct classification of stones.