Bugs in Amber

Amber is a transparent, yellow stone that was once originally tree resin. Over millions of years, this tree resin was fossilized and was preserved. Amber is used in jewelry and some home remedy medicines and is said to have come from coniferous (pine) trees around 70 million years ago.

Tree resin is produced when a tree becomes damaged by pests, storms, animals, etc. This protective resin oozes out of the heartwood and forms a protective coating over the wound. Sometimes, due to the sticky nature of resin, bugs can be trapped under and within the resin as it oozes down the tree. If a bug is unlucky enough to be caught within the resin, there is a chance it can fossilize inside of the resin and become one with the stone. After millions of years of fossilization, the bug will remain perfectly preserved inside of the Amber due to the resin’s natural antibacterial properties, which prevent decay.