What Is Baltic Amber?

Baltic amber is fossilized pine tree resin that formed approximately 40–60 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch. It originated in vast ancient forests that once covered parts of what is now Northern and Eastern Europe, near the Baltic Sea.

Also known as succinite, Baltic amber is classified as a gemstone and prized for its distinctive warmth, depth, and radiance—qualities that set it apart from other organic gems.

What Makes Baltic Amber Different from Other Ambers?

Amber exists in many regions of the world, but not all ambers are the same. They differ in age, composition, and properties. For example, Lebanese amber dates back over 150 million years, making it far older than Baltic amber.

What truly distinguishes Baltic amber is its chemical composition, particularly the presence of succinic acid. Baltic amber typically contains 3–8% succinic acid, while other amber resins contain significantly less—or none at all. This composition gives Baltic amber its unique character and is one of the reasons it has been valued for centuries.

Baltic amber is also unmatched in its diversity of natural colors, making it especially desirable for jewelry and collectors.

What Are the Naturally Occurring Colors of Baltic Amber?

Baltic amber occurs in a rich and varied natural color palette. The most common naturally occurring colors include:

• Yellow – The classic and most prevalent amber color, warm and golden

• Honey – Ranging from deep, rich tones to lighter shades, adding depth and glow

• Cognac – Darker, brandy-like hues with a refined, elegant feel

• Butterscotch / White – Creamy, opaque tones ranging from pale yellow to soft white

• Cherry – Deep red or reddish-brown hues, rarer and highly sought after

  Naturally intense blue or green amber is extremely rare. Most vivid greens seen on the market are the result of treatment or enhancement.

Amber often displays color variations and internal patterns, sometimes blending multiple tones within a single piece—one of the reasons no two ambers are ever truly alike.

What Determines Amber’s Color and Clarity?

Amber’s color and clarity were shaped long before human hands ever touched it. Factors influencing its appearance include:

• Humidity and temperature at the time the resin flowed

• The speed at which the resin hardened

• The amount of air trapped or released during formation

• The presence of minerals and organic matter

• The condition and age of the tree

• Sun exposure, seasonal cycles, and geological pressure

These variables affected not only amber’s color and transparency, but also its final form—creating the organic individuality amber is known for.

What Does “Natural” or “Unheated” Baltic Amber Mean?

The term natural amber is often used simply to mean “real.” However, according to the classification standards of the International Amber Association (IAA), the definition is much more precise.

In IAA terminology, natural (or unheated) amber refers to amber that has not been modified. It has not been heated, pressed, or clarified. Instead, it remains in the same state nature created millions of years ago—altered only through traditional processes such as cutting, grinding, polishing, drilling, or turning.

This means the glow, texture, and inclusions you see are exactly as they formed in ancient pine forests. Each piece is unique, organic, and alive with history. When you hold natural amber, you are holding a fragment of the earth’s memory.

Are There Medicinal or Healing Properties Associated with Baltic Amber?

Baltic amber has long been associated with traditional and holistic practices. Its high concentration of succinic acid is believed to have anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

When worn against the skin, amber warms naturally and is said to release trace amounts of succinic acid. Traditionally, this has been associated with easing discomfort, reducing inflammation, and promoting a sense of balance and calm.

Baltic amber exhibits natural electrostatic behavior. Through friction and warmth, it can develop a static charge—a property historically observed and sometimes described as electronegative in traditional sources. This same electrostatic effect is used in modern natural tick and flea repellents, where the static environment created by amber discourages parasites from attaching.

Culturally, Baltic amber has been associated with protection, positive transformation, grounding energy, and manifestation. While these qualities are rooted in tradition rather than modern medicine, they remain an important part of amber’s enduring appeal.

What Is the Difference Between Amber and Copal?

Amber and copal both originate from tree resin, but the key difference lies in age and degree of fossilization.

Amber is millions of years old and fully fossilized. Over time, the resin undergoes a natural process of polymerization, becoming harder, more stable, and more durable. This transformation gives amber its lasting beauty, resilience, and value.

Copal, on the other hand, is much younger—typically only hundreds to thousands of years old. It has not completed the fossilization process and remains less polymerized. As a result, copal is softer, less stable, and more reactive to heat and solvents such as acetone. It may feel slightly tacky and is more prone to surface changes over time.

Copal is sometimes referred to as “young” or “immature amber,” while amber represents the fully matured, fossilized stage of resin shaped by millions of years.

How Can You Tell If Baltic Amber Is Real?

There are many imitations on the market, including copal (a younger resin) and synthetic materials such as polyester or epoxy.

Authentic Baltic amber is:

• Lightweight and warm to the touch

• Often imperfect, with natural bubbles or inclusions

• Not heavy or glassy like many fakes

The most reliable way to avoid imitations is to purchase from a trusted seller who performs proper due diligence.

Common methods used to identify real amber include:

• Burn test: Amber burns with a smoky yellow flame and a resinous scent

• UV light: Genuine amber fluoresces bluish or yellow-green

• Saltwater test: Natural amber floats in heavily salted water

• Static test: When rubbed against cloth, amber attracts small bits of paper

In professional settings, laboratories—such as the IAA lab in Gdańsk—use density and refractive index testing to verify authenticity.

How Do You Clean and Care for Amber Jewelry?

Amber is an organic gemstone and should be treated gently. Proper care will help preserve its natural beauty and allow it to age gracefully over time.

For everyday care, amber requires very little cleaning.

• Gentle wipe: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and skin oils after wearing.

• Mild wash (if needed): For deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. Gently clean the amber with your fingers or a very soft brush (such as a baby toothbrush for crevices).

• Rinse and dry: Rinse with clean, lukewarm water and immediately pat dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak or allow amber to air-dry.

What to Avoid? Amber is softer than mineral gemstones and can be damaged by heat and chemicals. Always avoid:

• Hot water

• Ultrasonic or steam cleaners

• Alcohol, acetone, vinegar, or household cleaners

• Prolonged soaking in water

• Direct sunlight for extended periods

General Care & Storage:

• Protect from chemicals: Remove amber jewelry before applying perfume, lotion, hairspray, or cleaning products.

• Avoid heat: Take off amber jewelry before showering, swimming, sunbathing, or using saunas.

• Store separately: Keep amber in a cotton or satin pouch, or a fabric-lined jewelry box, to prevent scratches and preserve the artwork.

Special Considerations:

Amber with silver: Use a silver polishing cloth only on the metal parts, avoiding contact with the amber itself.

Raw or unpolished amber: Follow the same care guidelines, focusing cleaning on the metal settings and using extra care on the stone’s surface.

What Are Amber Inclusions?

Inclusions are organic materials—such as plant matter, air bubbles, or insects—that became trapped in resin before it fossilized.

In Baltic amber, inclusions are valued not only for their rarity but for their scientific and historical significance. Each inclusion is a natural record of life from millions of years ago, preserved exactly as it was.

Not all amber contains inclusions, but when present, they contribute greatly to amber’s individuality and collectability.

Is Baltic Amber a Gemstone or a Resin?

Baltic amber is classified as a gemstone, even though it originates from fossilized tree resin. What distinguishes amber from ordinary resin is time—over millions of years, resin undergoes a natural fossilization process that stabilizes its structure and transforms it into a gem-quality material.

Because of its organic origin, amber feels warm to the touch and lightweight compared to mineral gemstones, yet it holds lasting value due to its rarity, age, and natural beauty.

What Is the Cultural Center of Baltic Amber?

The city of Gdańsk, located in northern Poland, is widely regarded as the international capital of Baltic amber. For centuries, it has been a center of amber trade, craftsmanship, and scholarship.

What Is the International Amber Association (IAA)?

Founded in 1996, the International Amber Association (IAA) is a global organization dedicated to the promotion, research, and protection of Baltic amber. It brings together scientists, artists, traders, and collectors to establish clear classification standards, verify authenticity, and promote transparency in the amber market.

The IAA operates a laboratory in Gdańsk and plays a key role in distinguishing natural, treated, and pressed amber—helping protect both artisans and consumers from misrepresentation.