A fossilized lizard was trapped over a million years ago in this piece of amber that was found in the Dominican Republic! This type of lizard is now extinct. - Photo by Dr. E. J. Gübelin/GIA
Rights Holder
Insect Inclusion
This large, long amber bead contains an insect inclusion. What kind of insect does it look like?
Amber Cabochon
A cabochon is a nice way to show off amber. The half-dome shape of a cabochon shows off the shine and clarity nicely. - Photo by Maha Tannous/GIA
Real or Not?
Is this amber real? There are many imitations of amber with inclusions. This is a genuine lizard inside a hard plastic called polystyrene [paw-lee-sty-reen].
Amber Colors
Amber comes in several colors. The most familiar colors are yellow to orange. There is also reddish colored amber, but it is rare. - Photo courtesy Alan Jobbins
Gas Bubbles
Gas bubbles are very common amber inclusions. If there are a lot of gas bubbles, they can give amber a cloudy look. - Photo by C. D. Mengason/GIA
Gierlowska’s Lizard
This is a lizard in amber from the collection of the amber museum in Gdansk, Poland. It’s called Gierlowska’s lizard. - From the collection of Gdańsk History Museum.
Dinosaur Carving
Amber is an easy material to carve. The movie Jurassic Park inspired people to create dinosaur carvings. This one shows a baby hatching from its egg. - Photo courtesy Jeff Scovil
Spider In a Tomb
Watch out! Like a creature from science fiction, this spider seems to be gazing at you from its amber tomb. This amber is from the Dominican Republic. - Photo courtesy Anthony de Goutière
Pseudoscorpion in Amber
It is immortal, in a way. This pseudoscorpion [soo-doh-scor-pee-uhn] is sealed in amber forever. These small hunters have survived for 350 million years, but this one was conquered by an unusual enemy: tree resin! - Photo by Nathan Renfro/GIA
Amber's Age
If it's less than a million years old, amber is called something else. Find out what it is!
Amber and Heat
Find out what “sun spangles” are and what heat does to amber.
