Burmese amber cabochon with multiple insect and plant inclusions

24x23x5mm.

Burmese amber is a type of fossilized resin that formed during the Cretaceous period, around 99 million years ago, from ancient trees that flourished in tropical forests. It is primarily found in the Hukawng Valley in Myanmar, and it is one of the oldest and most scientifically significant amber deposits in the world.

While amber from other regions, such as the Baltic or the Dominican Republic, is younger—ranging from 20 to 54 million years old—Burmese amber is much older, providing an unprecedented look at life during the age of the dinosaurs. The amber is derived from trees of the family Araucariaceae, which are related to modern-day conifers like the monkey puzzle tree and the kauri pine.