One method of classifying amber is by color and degree of transparency. This criteria correlates to an optical classification of amber varieties. Colors of amber include yellow, orange, red, white,  brown, green, bluish, and "black" (dark shades of other colors). The degree of transparency varies in amber from  clear to cloudy. Clear amber is transparent and usually ranges from pale yellow to dark reddish yellow. Cloudy amber can be semi-transparent to opaque, a variety of colors and separated into terms such as fatty, bone (or osseous) or foamy (or frothy).

Amber is the common name for fossil resin that is appreciated for its inherent and interesting mixture of colours and it is widely used for the manufacture of ornamental objects. Although not mineralized, it is sometimes considered and used as a gemstone. Most of the world's amber is in the range of 30–90 million years old. Semi-fossilized resin or sub-fossil amber is called copal.

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Since the screening of 'Jurassic Park' interest in the mineral amber has grown significantly. Unfortunately so has the quantity of fake amber coming on to the market. Some of these pieces have insect inclusions skilfully placed in the body of the matrix.

The British Natural History Museum recently discovered that a fly preserved in amber thought to be one of the oldest known examples of this particular species was in fact a fake and probably no more than 150 years old. (More of this fly later). Evidence of this nature, that even the best can be fooled should alert all collectors to the possibility of being misled or simply cheated.

Amber has a deep fascination for people both as a gem and as a chance to look back into the past with a remarkable clarity. Its warm lustrous touch beguiles us and the remarkable inclusions sometimes found within it capture our imagination.

Amber is found all over the world including the Isle of Wight. This short narrative looks at some aspects of amber, which might interest both the casual and the informed reader.

Formation of Amber

Amber begins as resin exuded from trees millions of years ago. Most known deposits of amber come from various tree species which are now extinct. Baltic amber was produced by a tree called Pinites succinifer, a tree sharing many characteristics of the currently living genus Pseudolarix. In appearance it would have looked something similar to a pine or spruce tree.