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The Encyclopedia of AdornmentEst. 2026Every value cited
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Amber

JewelryWiki Editorial·1 source·Reviewed 2026-07-31
Amber specimen
Amber specimen. Anders L. Damgaard - www.amber-inclusions.dk - Baltic-amber-beetle, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fossilised tree resin, not a mineral. Specific gravity near 1 means it floats in saturated saltwater — the classic field test.

Properties

PropertyValueAuthority
Refractive index1.539–1.545 [1]
Specific gravity1.05–1.09 [1]

Sources

  1. International Gem Society — reference charts (Mohs hardness, specific gravity, refractive index) — International Gem Society (IGS reference charts)