Amber is such a captivating material that it impresses collectors, paleontologists, and scientists equally. While amber is known for its rich golden shades, amber fossils are especially desired because of their beauty and scientific significance.
What Is Amber?
Amber is resin from the trees that have fossilized through millions of years. The amber is condensed through polymerization. Humans have extracted amber from Earth's pits and mines to be used as major fashion decorations and a remedy in traditional medicine.
What Are Amber Fossils?
It refers to amber with ancient life forms and organisms buried in it. When resin seeps from trees, it sticks in an insect, plant, or even a small vertebrate, transforming into amber. Paleontologists and collectors desire these amber fossils for sale.
Fossils of amber contain well-preserved organic materials, thus offering necessary evidence to shed light on the ancient biological system. Inclusions may include a variety of prehistoric insects like mosquitoes or spiders, small plants, or even small air bubbles.
The Difference between Amber and Amber Fossils
While all fossils of amber can be classified as amber, not every amber can be a fossil. Amber may or may not contain inclusions; it is a decent resin piece. Conversely, fossils of amber include preservation of organisms locked up with resin that took millions of years to fossilize. Fossils of amber are valuable in terms of scientific interest, and they are a way into the ancient life of Earth.
How to Identify Real Fossils of Amber?
The best way to identify real amber is to look for specific characteristics such as:
● Inclusions: Amber often contains tiny, ancient inclusions, such as insects, bits of plants, and bubbles.
● Color and Clarity: Genuine amber is clear to slightly clouded and gold to red. Amber having inclusions may have more opaque appearances.
● Hardness: This fossilized resin is quite soft and can be scratched slightly with a fingernail or a small metal object.
● Floating Test: Unlike many synthetic formations, amber can float in saltwater because of its lighter density.
Conclusion
Amber fossils have an eye-catching look and are a special piece of the past that lets you hold a bit of Earth's history in your hand. You can browse the Fossil Age Minerals to purchase several real amber fossils for sale. We have a fascinating collection of amber pieces with inclusions.