succinum

Succinum is the Latin name for amber, a fossilized tree resin that has hardened over millions of years. In ordinary usage, amber refers to the visible orange to yellow resin that can be transparent to translucent and is often cut into cabochons or beads. Amber is not a mineral but an organic substance formed from ancient plant resin.

The resin exuded by extinct conifers and other plants in prehistoric forests, then buried and preserved in sediment. Over long periods, the resin polymerizes and loses volatile components, becoming amber. The chemical composition is variable and largely consists of terpenoid compounds; a small amount of succinic acid is sometimes present, giving the Latin name succinum.

Baltic amber is the most well-known source, dating to roughly 40–60 million years ago (late Eocene). Other important localities include the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, Mexico, and the United States. Amber from these sources can differ in color, clarity, and resin composition.

Amber ranges from yellow to orange-brown and can be transparent or translucent. It can trap fine inclusions, such as insects and plant matter, yielding valuable paleontological information.

Since antiquity, amber has been carved and worn as jewelry and used in decorative objects. Its static electricity when rubbed inspired the term electricity, and modern science uses amber resin to study ancient ecosystems.