Physical and Chemical Characteristics
Source: Les secrets de l'ambre dominicaine
· Origin of the name:
Middle English: "ambre"
Middle French and Medieval Latin: "ambra",
Arabic: "anbar ambergris"
It is very curious that the Greek name for Amber is: "electron"
Around 600 BC, Greeks found that by rubbing an electron (Amber) against a fur cloth, it would attract particles of straw. For over 2000 years this strange effect remained a mystery. But in the 1600's, Dr William Gilbert investigated the reactions of amber and magnets and first recorded the word 'Electric' in a report on the theory of magnetism.
Isn't it interesting that the words "Electricity" and "Electronic" are related to this beautiful gemstone?
- Chemistry:
Approx. C10H16O - Succinic acid
Source: Les secrets de l'ambre dominicaine
- Fracture:
Conchoidal
- Transparency:
Transparent to translucent
- Hardness (Mohs):
2+
- Crystal System:
Does not apply, Amber is amorphous
- Habits:
Include nodules in sandstone and washed up on beaches
- Specific Gravity:
1.05 - 1.09, max 1.30
(extremely light, floats in a 10% salt solution)
- Luster:
Resinous
- Class:
Mineraloids
- Uses:
Ornamental, gemstone and semi-precious stone, scientific investigations - i.e. paleontology, fossilology -
- Color:
Yellow, orange, red, brown and gold. In the Dominican Republic also blue, green and white.
- Locations:
Dominican Republic, E. Prussia (Poland), Baltic Sea, Siberia, Burma, Germany, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Romania, Sicily and lss frequent in other countries
- Other characteristics:
Can be burned, fluorescent under UV light, easy to charge statically
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