Baltic Amber Cabochon with Plant and Insect Inclusions
Indeterminate insect and botanical fragments cf. Baltic amber inclusions • Body fossil / Amber inclusion (Invertebrate and botanical remains in fossilized tree resin)
Geological Period
Paleogene (Eocene epoch)
Estimated Age
33 to 44 million years
Preservation Type
Exceptional three-dimensional amber preservation (fossilization of biological material within polymerized tree resin)
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The amber is stable, well-polished, and shows only minor surface hairline scuffs typical of handled polished resin, with clear internal visibility despite dense particulate matter.
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Animalia / Plantae, Phylum: Arthropoda / Tracheophyta, Class: Insecta / Equisetopsida, Order: Indeterminate, Family: Indeterminate, Genus: Indeterminate, Species: Indeterminate
Morphological Description
The specimen is polished into a teardrop or pear-shaped cabochon with a smooth, glossy surface. It exhibits translucent to transparent golden-brown resin containing various internal particulates, including dark carbonized plant debris, organic dust, and potential fragmented insect cuticles or micro-inclusions visible as dark patches and fine filament-like structures.
Rock Matrix
Polished fossilized tree resin (amber), completely separated from its original glauconitic sand and blue earth matrix
Formation & Location
Baltic Sea region, likely derived from the Eocene
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 25 mm x 18 mm x 8 mm (standard jewelry/cabochon size range)
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$40 to $120 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 to $90 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common to Uncommon (Baltic amber is widely available, though specimens with distinct, well-preserved diagnostic insect or vertebrate inclusions command higher rarity).
Scientific Significance
Amber inclusions provide exceptionally preserved three-dimensional anatomical details of ancient forest ecosystems, offering insights into Eocene paleoclimate, micro-habitats, and paleobiology that are otherwise lost in standard sedimentary fossils.
Preparation Recommendations
Store away from direct UV sunlight and extreme heat to prevent oxidation and crazing. Clean gently with a soft damp cloth; avoid harsh solvents like alcohol, acetone, or commercial polishers which will dissolve or damage the amber resin.
Notable Features
Rich honey-brown coloration with characteristic cloudiness (amber flouve) and a dense array of syn-inclusion organic debris creating a highly textured interior landscape.