succinite
Amber is not a stone. It is organic in origin. Minearological name for Baltic amber is succinite.
amorphous structure
Amber does not have a regular molecular structure – it is not crystalline like diamond. Amber structure is amorphous like glass.
amber is light
A piece of amber weighs less than half the weight of a rock of the same size.
Transparent Baltic amber has higher specific gravity -1,1 g/cm3 than the opaque white one – 0,93 g/cm3.
In fresh water (1,0 g/cm3) it sinks to the bottom, in a concentrated salt solution it will float.
bernstein – burn-stone
Amber burns owing to its composition of various organic substances.
It burns with a bright, sooty flame, emitting black smoke and diffusing a pleasant smell reminiscent of pine resin.
The German word for amber is Bernstein – burn-stone.
Melting point approximately 375C.
