How Often Are Insect Fossils Found in Amber?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the frequency of finding fossilized insects in amber, particularly in relation to a jewelry vendor's claims about the age and authenticity of her amber pieces. Participants explore the natural processes involved in amber formation and the implications for the insects found within it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the commonality of finding fossilized insects in amber, expressing skepticism about a vendor's claims regarding the age and origin of her pieces.
  • Another participant asserts that it is extremely common to find insects in amber due to the sugary nature of tree resin, which attracts insects.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for the vendor to be selling Copal instead of true amber, as Copal can be manipulated to include modern insects.
  • Participants discuss methods for testing amber authenticity, including smell tests and IR spectroscopy.
  • A participant shares their personal experience collecting amber inclusions and seeks advice on identifying the insects within their finds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the authenticity of the vendor's claims and the nature of the amber being sold. There is no consensus on the reliability of the vendor's products or the identification of insects in amber.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the prevalence of quackery associated with amber sales, highlighting the need for caution when assessing the authenticity of amber specimens.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in paleontology, entomology, or the authenticity of amber jewelry may find the discussion relevant.

Patzee
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How common is it to find fossilized insects entombed in Amber?

I ask because there is a jewelry vendor here in Maui who claims that her amber jewelry encapsulating a variety of insects were created naturally, mined in the Baltic area and are thousands of years old. She sure has a lot of these pieces and since I wouldn't know a modern mosquito from an ancient variety and since she seems to have an endless supply of these insects in amber, I'm skeptical.

Thanks! :smile:
 
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Patzee said:
How common is it to find fossilized insects entombed in Amber?
It is extremely common. When the tree resin initially exudes, it is usually sugary so it attracts insects.

It used to be that the insect would be cut out of the amber because it lowered the value but the success of Jurassic Park has changed that.

I ask because there is a jewelry vendor here in Maui who claims that her amber jewelry encapsulating a variety of insects were created naturally, mined in the Baltic area and are thousands of years old. She sure has a lot of these pieces and since I wouldn't know a modern mosquito from an ancient variety and since she seems to have an endless supply of these insects in amber, I'm skeptical.
The story is entirely plausible - it takes tree resin millions of years (conservative estimate) to turn into amber so insects stuck in amber must have got there millions of years ago.

http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Tree_of_Life/FossilAmber.htm
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0146638094901554

... since the seller is claiming 1000s of years, that's a red flag. It may be Copal that she is selling, which is sometimes sold as "Baltic amber".

You can heat Copal and push modern insects into it - this gets a nice-looking specimen, which can be as large as you like. You can look online for pictures of the genuine article since it is the condition of the insects that gives you the first clue... a large "well posed" insect is another red flag.

A mosquito would be another red flag btw. They are not normally interested in sugar from sap so don't hang around by trees. iirc There is one recorded from Canadian amber, only a handful known in Baltic amber and a few tens in Dominican amber.

You can test amber by smell - you have to warm it up.
Rubbing in your hands, or insertion of a hot needle are common ways.
You can also test it by IR spectroscopy - which is best.

Note: Some care needs to be taken over amber websites - there is a lot of quackery associated with the stuff.
 
Last edited:
Thank you, Simon.

I'll read the links to learn more and take a close look at the photos to see how they compare with the pieces she displays. I had no idea that it was so common, but now that you noted the resin was "sweet", it makes sense. So glad I posted the question on this forum!
 
No worries.
Like I said, you still have to be careful - people still manufacture good looking specimens for sale as found items.
But if it is real amber, then anything in there is Old.
 
How to identify insect fossils in amber?
For several years I collect different inclusions in amber. Each piece of amberstone was found by me at the Baltic Sea coast. I will be grateful to you for the hint, how it would be better to start identifying insects included in amber. Thank you
 

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