Raw Indonesian Amber (loose)

This is a loose item, with no display case. To purchase a displayed version, click here.

This Indonesian amber dates back to the mid to late Miocene period, approximately 20 million years ago. Amber often occurs in conjunction with coal, as coal and amber form in similar ways—both start as plant matter, and slowly harden over millions of years. However, while coal is created from plants that have decayed into peat, amber is formed when tree resin is fossilized. Under the right conditions, oily substances known as terpenes are driven out of the resin, which causes it to harden.

Amber is perhaps best known for its ability to envelope small organisms like fungi, plant matter, and insects. These are known as inclusions, and give a unique insight into prehistoric life due to their incredible state of preservation.

Size: Approximately 1 inch in length