Mineral, Plant, or Animal? Amber Truths

This is an excellent article for those wanting some basic facts about amber. The author explains what it is (and is not), and information about the uses of amber and where it can still be f... See More

This is an excellent article for those wanting some basic facts about amber. The author explains what it is (and is not), and information about the uses of amber and where it can still be found are provided. The next time you admire someone’s amber necklace, remember that the insect that may be encased in the amber might be 130 million years young.

Old Sticky Stuff

Amber is an interesting substance. The title ‘nature’s flytrap’ pretty much says it all. This resin from conifers can capture materials (living and otherwise) from times long ago. It is a... See More

Amber is an interesting substance. The title ‘nature’s flytrap’ pretty much says it all. This resin from conifers can capture materials (living and otherwise) from times long ago. It is a gem (used in jewelry and such) but is not a mineral since it doesn’t have a crystalline form. What was interesting was the human use of amber in an historical overview. I think this article might be a good read for a discussion of fossils in a science class.