The rarity of the trapped fossils controls the value of the amber more so than the quality of the amber. Remember these are fossils and are not the same species that are alive today. Amber has greatly increased the knowledge of the evolution of insects and plants as well as enlivening the interest in paleontology in general. Amber is often imitated by plastics, colored glasses and some modern tree resins. However, its hardness is usually greater and it is tougher than other resins.
Color is amber yellow to orange.
Luster is resinous. Transparent to translucent. Habits include nodules in shales or sandstones and washed up on beaches. Fracture is conchoidal. Streak is white.