Baltic Amber with Insect Inclusion
Insect inclusion cf. Class Insecta (indeterminable specific family due to preservation angle and obscuration) • Body fossil in amber (fossilized tree resin), invertebrate
Geological Period
Paleogene (Eocene epoch)
Estimated Age
34 to 48 million years
Preservation Type
Exceptionally preserved organic inclusion entrapped in fossilized tree resin (amber), retaining original soft-tissue and chitinous outlines in three dimensions without significant mineral replacement.
Condition Assessment
Good. The amber surface is smoothly polished and lustrous, though internal visibility of the insect inclusion is somewhat limited by optical distortion, surface abrasions, and a dark inclusion profile.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Indeterminate, Family Indeterminate, Genus Indeterminate, Species Indeterminate
Morphological Description
The specimen exhibits a polished, teardrop or irregular cabochon shape with warm golden-brown to deep cognac hues. Encapsulated within the matrix is a dark, centralized organic inclusion representing an arthropod, showing vague outlines of a segmented body plan, though finer anatomical details are obscured by internal fractures and angle of view.
Rock Matrix
Polished fossilized tree resin (amber) with minor internal stress fractures and slight surface polishing marks, lacking a conventional inorganic rock matrix.
Formation & Location
Baltic region (specifically amber-bearing deposits of the Samland peninsula in Kaliningrad, Russia, or related Baltic basin sites)
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 20 mm to 30 mm in maximum length, falling within the standard small-to-medium range for polished cabochon amber insect specimens.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $80 USD
Auction Estimate
$25 - $60 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common. Baltic amber containing small or indistinct insect inclusions is relatively abundant on the commercial market.
Scientific Significance
Amber inclusions provide exceptional three-dimensional preservation of ancient forest ecosystems, offering vital clues regarding Eocene paleoclimates, insect evolution, plant-insect interactions, and paleoenvironment reconstruction.
Preparation Recommendations
Store in a stable environment away from direct, harsh sunlight, high temperatures, and extreme humidity fluctuations to prevent oxidation, crazing, or degradation of the amber resin. Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth.
Notable Features
Rich cognac coloration with a prominent, dark central arthropod silhouette trapped inside the warm golden resin matrix.