Amber is formed over millions of years from the fossilized resin of ancient trees. This organic origin results in a substance distinct from minerals or stones. The physical and tactile characteristics of genuine amber—its warmth, surface feel, and weight—offer a foundation for understanding its practical identification.
The Unique Temperature and Texture
The most immediate sensation when handling amber is its distinct warmth, a feeling that differentiates it instantly from glass or a gemstone. This temperature difference stems from amber’s physical structure as a poor thermal conductor. Because it is an organic solid, it does not quickly draw heat away from the skin the way a dense mineral or glass does. When touched, the material quickly equilibrates with the skin’s temperature, resulting in a feeling that is often described as room temperature or slightly warm.
The surface texture of amber can vary widely, depending on how it has been treated for jewelry or display. A polished piece will feel smooth and almost waxy to the touch, while natural or raw specimens possess a rougher, more porous surface. Amber is relatively soft, with a hardness that typically ranges between 2.0 and 2.5 on the Mohs scale, comparable to a fingernail. This softness allows it to take a high polish easily, but also means it can be scratched more readily than harder gemstones.
Understanding Amber’s Surprising Lightness
A second notable tactile property is the material’s unexpectedly low weight for its size. When lifted, a piece of genuine amber feels considerably lighter than a stone or a glass imitation of a similar volume. This lightness is determined by its low density, a physical consequence of its formation from ancient tree resin.
The specific gravity of amber, typically between 1.04 and 1.10, means it is only slightly denser than water. This explains why it is often found washed up on shorelines after floating in salty seawater. The trapped air bubbles and microscopic voids within the fossilized resin contribute to this effect, especially in opaque varieties. This sensation of being almost airy or plastic-like is a reliable indicator of its true composition.
Using Feel to Verify Authenticity
The combined sensations of warmth and lightness provide an immediate, practical test for distinguishing authentic amber from common imitations. The simple act of holding a piece allows for a preliminary assessment of its genuineness. If a piece of jewelry feels noticeably cold or heavy when handled, it is likely made of glass, a dense material that rapidly conducts heat away from the skin.
Conversely, some plastic imitations may also feel lightweight, but they often lack the subtle warmth and natural surface imperfections of the real material. Another common imitation is copal, a much younger, semi-fossilized resin. While copal shares some organic qualities, it is typically softer and may feel stickier when rubbed, whereas genuine amber remains smooth.
The light weight of amber means that a necklace or a large pendant will not feel burdensome when worn, a quality poorly replicated by denser fakes. The unique combination of a soft, warm surface and a surprisingly light weight offers a reliable, non-destructive method for tactile verification.