How to identify Amber and Epidote

To correctly identify Amber and Epidote (Amber (fossilized tree resin) and Epidote (Ca2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH))), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Amber: Yellow, orange, brown, sometimes red, green, blue, or black. Epidote: Pistachio-green, yellowish-green, brownish-green, blackish-green, sometimes dark brown or black.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Amber: Resinous to waxy. Epidote: Vitreous to pearly on cleavage surfaces.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Amber: Smooth, conchoidal fracture, often with internal flow lines or inclusions. Epidote: Crystalline, often prismatic or granular.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Amber: Amorphous, irregular masses, nodules, stalactitic forms. Epidote: Monoclinic, typically forms elongated prismatic crystals, often striated parallel to the length, also massive, granular, or fibrous aggregates.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Amber: None. Epidote: Perfect on {001}, good on {100}.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Amber: Sedimentary deposits, often associated with lignite or coal seams, marine or terrestrial sediments. Epidote: Metamorphic rocks (schists, gneisses, amphibolites), contact metamorphic skarns, hydrothermally altered igneous rocks (e.g., granites, basalts).

Key Facts

Hardness

Amber: 2-2.5 (Mohs); Epidote: 6-7 (Mohs)

Specific Gravity

Amber: 1.05-1.10; Epidote: 3.35-3.47

Crystal System

Amber: Amorphous; Epidote: Monoclinic

Color

Amber: Yellow, orange, brown, green, blue; Epidote: Pistachio-green, yellowish-green, brownish-green

Luster

Amber: Resinous to waxy; Epidote: Vitreous to pearly

Transparency

Amber: Transparent to opaque; Epidote: Transparent to translucent

Fracture

Amber: Conchoidal; Epidote: Uneven to conchoidal

Cleavage

Amber: None; Epidote: Perfect on {001}, good on {100}

Composition

Amber: Organic polymer (C10H16O)n; Epidote: Ca2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH)

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Amber: Amorphous masses, nodules; Epidote: Prismatic, columnar, acicular, granular, massive
• Cleavage Type: Amber: Not applicable; Epidote: Perfect basal {001}, good {100}
• Fracture Type: Amber: Conchoidal; Epidote: Uneven to conchoidal
• Tenacity: Amber: Brittle; Epidote: Brittle
• Luster Type: Amber: Resinous, waxy; Epidote: Vitreous, pearly on cleavage

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