Burmese amber for collectors
Find some burmese ambers online
Burmese ambers are very interesting to study and collect. With their golden color, they are magnificent objects, and the most interesting specimens often contain small insects or pieces of prehistoric vegetation. Burmese ambers with insects are highly prized by fossil collectors the world over. We update this page daily with a selection of Burmese ambers currently available on the web that are well worth a look.
BURMITES FOR COLLECTORS:
A selection of burmese ambers for fossil collector.
In our selection above, you'll find all the burmese ambers we've found on the web that we think would be interesting for your collection. We've tried to highlight good quality ambers with insect or plant inserts. Occasionally, you'll even see burmites with small reptiles (mostly lizards) imprisoned in the amber. Most of these ambers date from the Cretaceous period and have been collected in Burma (=Myanmar) by local people who support their families through the international trade in these famous burmites. Some very beautiful burmites are included in our Top 100 Fossil Auctions.
Real amber fossils with insects
When looking for genuine amber with insects, be sure to check the seller's reputation. Some unscrupulous suppliers "manufacture" insect inclusions in amber by hand. We strive to select genuine Cretaceous amber with insect inclusions. Most of the insects you'll find are small flies, mosquitoes and beetles. Beware of ambers with butterflies or dragonflies, they are extremely rare and most are modern fabrications. Click on the ambers above and you'll see that we only select suppliers with an excellent reputation!
A genuine burmese amber with mosquitoes (ASA College Florida)
Burmites with leaves or plants
Other highly sought-after burmites are those with plant inclusions. These are often the leaves of ferns, conifers or plants from the period when these Burmese ambers were formed: the Cretaceous. The result is often an elegant object that will become a centerpiece in your fossil collection. Some ambers with large, well-preserved plants can fetch a high market value!
A fine burmite with plant inclusion
Burmese ambers with small animals
Our daily selection also includes Burmese ambers containing small animals other than insects. These are usually small molluscs (snails, slugs, etc.) or reptiles (lizards, etc.). You won't find any Burmese ambers with mammals or birds encased in amber; they don't exist on the market. Burmese ambers with dinosaur are extremely rare but are offered from time to time on this page.
What is the value of Burmese amber ?
The value of Burmese amber depends on several factors:
- its authenticity,
- its size
- its beauty
- the amber's purity (clarity)
- the type of animal included in the amber
- its provenance
To give you a few examples, a superb 7-centimeter piece of amber with a beautiful insect inside will be worth several hundred dollars. Especially if it's a mosquito or other beautiful insect. Amber with plants will be a little less expensive, and you'll find them for less than 100 dollars.
Your question about burmese burmite
Following the creation of this page, you have sent us several questions about burmese ambers. We're going to answer your most frequently asked questions in this section, so that readers with similar questions can find the answers they're looking for.
How old is Burmese Amber?
Most of Burma's ambers date from the Cretaceous period: between 65 and 145 million years old! Some have been dated by National Museums Scotland scientists at 99 million years. These ancient fossils are very interesting to collect and study. All the burmites you'll find on this page date from the Cretaceous period.
Where is Burmese amber found?
As their name suggests, Burmese ambers, also known as burmites, come from Burma. Burma having been renamed "Myanmar" by the ruling military junta, you'll find both origins in the description of the ambers we've selected for you. The ambers are harvested in northern Burma in the Hukawng Basin region. It is also called "Kachin amber" as some ambers are mined in Kachin province. As Burmese collectors don't have access to the Internet, they export these ambers to China, and it's often Chinese suppliers who supply the international market for Burmese amber. You'll also find a few suppliers of American or European fossils, but often at higher prices.
What type of amber is most valuable to scientists?
The most interesting ambers for scientists are those containing animal or plant specimens inside. They enable scientists to understand what micro-fauna and flora existed in the Cretaceous. Some fossil species have been described thanks to their preservation in prehistoric ambers.
What type of amber is most valuable to collectors ?
Serious fossil collectors are looking for fine specimens of ambers with rare, well-preserved inclusions. The general public has mainly been looking for ambers with mosquitoes since the release of the film Jurassic Park. People with little knowledge of amber look for cheap amber and buy replicas.
Other interesting fossils :
A small weevil in Burmese amber
What is the difference between Burmese amber and Baltic amber ?
Burmese amber and Baltic amber are two distinct types of amber, and they differ primarily in their geographic origin, age, and the species of flora and fauna preserved within them.
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Geographic Origin:
- Burmese Amber: Also known as Burmite, Burmese amber originates from Myanmar (formerly Burma) in Southeast Asia. It is found in the Hukawng Valley and other amber deposits in northern Myanmar.
- Baltic Amber: Baltic amber comes from the Baltic region in Northern Europe, including countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The majority of Baltic amber is extracted from the shores of the Baltic Sea.
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Age:
- Burmese Amber: Burmese amber is known to be Cretaceous in age, dating back to around 100 million years ago. This means it is relatively older compared to Baltic amber.
- Baltic Amber: Baltic amber is younger, with an age ranging from 35 to 50 million years. It is primarily from the Eocene epoch.
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Inclusions:
- Burmese Amber: Burmese amber is famous for preserving a diverse array of ancient organisms, including insects, spiders, feathers, and even small vertebrates. The amber has provided valuable insights into the Cretaceous ecosystems.
- Baltic Amber: Baltic amber also contains a variety of inclusions, including insects, plant material, and occasionally small vertebrates. However, the types of organisms found in Baltic amber are different from those in Burmese amber due to the difference in age and geographic location.
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Color and Transparency:
- Burmese Amber: Burmese amber often has a reddish to brownish color and is prized for its high transparency, allowing for detailed observation of inclusions.
- Baltic Amber: Baltic amber can range in color from yellow and orange to brown. It is generally less transparent than Burmese amber, and the inclusions may be more challenging to observe in detail.
Both Burmese and Baltic amber are highly valued by researchers and collectors for the insights they provide into ancient ecosystems and the preservation of prehistoric life forms. The unique characteristics of each type of amber contribute to their scientific and commercial significance.
A pseudoscorpion trapped in Burmese Amber
Can we find bees in Burmese amber ?
Yes, bees and other insect fossils have been found in Burmese amber. Burmese amber, also known as Burmite, is Cretaceous in age, dating back around 100 million years. This amber deposit in Myanmar has preserved a diverse array of ancient organisms, including insects, spiders, and other arthropods. Bees, being insects, are among the many fascinating inclusions found in Burmese amber.
The discovery of ancient bees in Burmese amber has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary history of these important pollinators. It allows scientists to study the morphology, behavior, and ecology of ancient bee species, contributing to our understanding of the evolution of pollination strategies and the co-evolution between flowering plants and their pollinators. The well-preserved nature of specimens in Burmese amber has made it a significant source of information for researchers studying ancient ecosystems and biodiversity.