Insect in amber – Hukawng, Myanmar

Burmese amber, formerly referred to as Burmite, is one of the most fascinating types of true amber. It originates from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar, specifically in the Kachin State.

Geological Age

Burmese amber is unique mainly due to its age – it is a Cretaceous amber, which makes it extremely valuable for paleontology and evolutionary research. It contains fossilized remains of insects, arachnids, plants, feathers, and even small vertebrates (e.g., lizards or bird parts).

Properties and Color

Its color ranges from yellow, orange, and honey tones to deep red or brown. Rarer specimens may show greenish or bluish hues. In terms of clarity, both highly transparent and cloudy pieces occur. Due to its high degree of polymerization, it is more durable than younger fossil resins (copal), but still requires gentle handling, especially with regard to temperature changes and chemical exposure.

Mining and Ethical Aspects

Amber in Myanmar is mainly mined manually, in remote and hard-to-reach areas, especially in the northern Kachin region. Miners often work under difficult conditions, using simple tools and no modern equipment. Due to the region's isolation and poor infrastructure, transporting the raw material to processing or export centers is logistically demanding.

Processing and Use

Burmese amber is popular in jewelry-making, where it is cut and polished into cabochons or faceted stones. Thanks to its wide color range and exceptional inclusions, it is highly sought-after for bracelets, pendants, and other jewelry. The rarest pieces with visible fossil remains are highly valued by collectors and scientists, and often become part of major museum collections.