• Location: Villanueva, Santander, Colombia
• Weight: 12.2g
• Size: 5.7 x 2.6 x 1.4 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Colombian amber is a fascinating, though lesser-known, type of fossil resin. It has gained global recognition due to specific locations and some unique properties that distinguish it from the much more common Baltic or Dominican amber. Properties and Appearance Colombian amber can vary in color from pale yellow to dark brown, with honey and reddish tones. As with other types of amber, it can be found in transparent forms, as well as specimens with various degrees of turbidity. Age Colombian amber primarily originates from more recent geological periods (most commonly Miocene-Pliocene, i.e., approximately 2.6–23 million years old). Some Colombian localities also produce so-called copal, a younger form of fossil resin that has not yet reached the age, chemical stability, or degree of polymerization typical of true amber. Unlike amber, which formed tens of millions of years ago (e.g., during the Eocene), copal is usually less than 5 million years old, and often only a few hundred thousand. Copal can resemble amber at first glance — it is often clear, golden, and lightweight, and can sometimes contain insect or plant inclusions. However, the fundamental difference lies in physical and chemical properties: copal is softer, less stable, often slightly sticky, and dissolves in organic solvents (e.g., acetone), whereas true amber remains unaffected. In Colombia, copal is mainly extracted in regions such as Huila, Tolima, or El Valle, and is often commercially labeled as "young amber," even though from a scientific perspective it is not considered true amber. Therefore, it should always be clearly labeled to avoid confusion with genuine amber from regions like Santander. Inclusions Colombian amber can preserve fossilized remains of various prehistoric insects (e.g., ants, termites, mosquitoes, wasps, beetles), arachnids, and plant material such as fibers, leaf fragments, or pollen grains. Rarer inclusions can include small pieces of lichens or mosses, offering insight into the rich vegetation and tropical conditions of the time.