Amber look-alikes
Fossilized Tree Resin
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Open the appSeveral rocks and minerals can be confused with Amber. Below are documented look-alikes and the features that tell them apart. Never rely on a single feature. Always check multiple properties.
Similar rocks to compare
Copal
Copal is a younger, less polymerized form of tree resin, typically less than a few million years old. It is often mistaken for amber but is softer and has a lower melting point.
Also known as: Young Amber
Plastic (e.g., Bakelite, Celluloid)
Various plastics are used to imitate amber. They can be distinguished by density, hardness, smell when heated, and often by the presence of perfectly formed, modern inclusions or mold lines.
Also known as: Faux Amber
Glass
Colored glass can mimic amber. It is typically harder, denser, and colder to the touch than amber, and will not float in saltwater.
Also known as: Faux Amber
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