Organic
Amber
Fossilized tree resin
Brown
Orange
Yellow
Optical characteristics
- Ref. index
- 1.539 – 1.545
- Luster
- Resinous
- Pleochroism
- None Variable depending on transparency, orientation, and variety.
- Fluorescence
- Variable to inert.
Source localities
Baltic region
Baltic region: amber deposits
Legendary
★ Top Source
Classic source for Baltic amber.
Myanmar
Myanmar: Mogok Valley
Premium
★ Top Source
Classic source for ruby, sapphire, spinel and other collector gems.
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic: amber deposits
Premium
★ Top Source
Known for Dominican amber, including blue amber.
Mexico
Mexico: Querétaro / Jalisco / Sonora / Coahuila
Notable
Known for fire opal, turquoise, amber and collector minerals.
Enhancement & treatment
Inclusions & features
Crystals Crystal Inclusions
Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may…
Fractures Feathers and Fractures
Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or…
Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions
Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look…
Clouds Pinpoint Clouds
Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small…
Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions
Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Instruments used
Dichroscope
Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones
Hydrostatic Scale
Measures specific gravity, works even on opaque stones
10x Loupe
Your most-used instrument, start every examination here
Polariscope
Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive
Refractometer
Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification
UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave
Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin