Baltic Amber with Insect Inclusions
Insecta indet. (likely Diptera or small Hymenoptera cf. inclusions) • Body fossil and amber inclusion (fossilized tree resin containing preserved organic remains)
Geological Period
Paleogene (Eocene epoch)
Estimated Age
33 to 48 million years old
Preservation Type
Three-dimensional exceptional preservation in fossilized tree resin (amber), capturing soft tissue details and microscopic features without significant mineral replacement.
Condition Assessment
Good. The amber has been cleanly cut and polished into a display cabochon with good transparency, though internal fracturing and minor cloudiness slightly obscure some inclusions.
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Insecta, Order: Diptera/Hymenoptera, Family: Indeterminate, Genus: Indeterminate
Morphological Description
The specimen presents as a polished, teardrop-to-irregularly shaped cabochon of translucent amber. Internally, faint linear structures, particulate matter, and darkened organic inclusions resembling small arthropod parts or micro-inclusions are visible beneath the polished surface.
Rock Matrix
Polished fossil resin (amber) without a traditional mineral rock matrix, though Baltic amber typically originates in glauconitic 'blue earth' sedimentary layers.
Formation & Location
Samland Peninsula, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia (Baltic amber region) or associated Baltic Sea coastal deposits
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 20 mm in length by 10 mm in maximum width, falling well within standard sizes for cabochon-cut Baltic amber containing small insect inclusions.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$50 to $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$40 to $120 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common to Uncommon. Baltic amber is commercially abundant, but pieces with clear, identifiable insect inclusions command higher interest among collectors.
Scientific Significance
Amber inclusions provide exceptional windows into Eocene forest paleoecology, preserving delicate organisms, behaviors, and micro-ecosystems that are virtually never preserved in standard sedimentary fossil records.
Preparation Recommendations
Store in stable, low-humidity environments away from direct ultraviolet (UV) light and heat sources to prevent oxidation, crazing, or degradation of the amber matrix.
Notable Features
Warm honey-yellow coloration with good translucency, displaying localized dark organic inclusions and particulate debris suspended within the resin flow layers.