Other descriptive names for amber exist, reflecting not only color and degree of transparency but also chemical composition, the degree of weathering, places of discovery, workability, and functions in folk rituals. In Poland, some 200 folk names are applied to amber and some 80 variety names. Another mode of classifying amber, a physical classification, is based on procurement , land or sea. Sea stone and scoopstone refers to amber found in or near the sea. Scoopstone is the amber gathered from seaweed.
Some amber procured on land is termed pit amber.
This amber is covered with a crust, which obscures the quality of the piece. Sea amber is usually superior to mined amber because the waves provide polish, a uniform quality and there is no crust on the surface. Amber can also be found on land in secondary or alluvial deposits. Alluvial deposits indicate the material has been transported away from the primary source by erosional agents such as wind, water or glaciers. Another physical classification system is the natural form in which amber is found.