The facts
What burmite actually is
Mineralogically, burmite is fossil conifer resin, mid-Cretaceous, approx. 99 Ma - the oldest amber in regular commercial use — Fossilised resin; high degree of polymerisation, hence the extra hardness, crystallising in the amorphous system.
The colour is caused by organic chromophores; deep red 'cherry' tones from long oxidation. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.54-1.55, and the specific gravity sits near 1.03-1.10; cleavage is none; conchoidal fracture.
Where burmite comes from
The recognised sources are Noije Bum, Hukawng Valley, Tanai Township, Kachin State, Myanmar and Hti Lin, Magway Region, Myanmar (younger, Albian).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How burmite is treated
Often untreated; some heating. The critical issue is not treatment but provenance: the Kachin mines sit in an active conflict zone and revenues have been linked to armed groups, so most palaeontological journals have refused Myanmar amber collected after mid-2017, and several jurisdictions apply Myanmar sanctions. Not CITES-listed, but sale is an ethical and increasingly a compliance question.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What burmite is confused with
The usual confusions are Baltic amber, Copal and Plastic.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.54-1.55 and specific gravity 1.03-1.10 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What burmite is used for
Burmite is bought by mineral collecting, jewellery and carving and sculpture — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the carat or by the block.
Durability and care
Hardness 2.5-3; cleavage none; conchoidal fracture. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What burmite costs
Indicative pricing for burmite is $5-50 per gram plain; inclusion specimens $200 to tens of thousands, though the ethical discount is now real.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is burmite treated, and how?
Often untreated; some heating. The critical issue is not treatment but provenance: the Kachin mines sit in an active conflict zone and revenues have been linked to armed groups, so most palaeontological journals have refused Myanmar amber collected after mid-2017, and several jurisdictions apply Myanmar sanctions. Not CITES-listed, but sale is an ethical and increasingly a compliance question.
Where does burmite come from?
Noije Bum, Hukawng Valley, Tanai Township, Kachin State, Myanmar and Hti Lin, Magway Region, Myanmar (younger, Albian). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is burmite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does burmite cost?
Indicatively $5-50 per gram plain; inclusion specimens $200 to tens of thousands, though the ethical discount is now real. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is burmite confused with?
Most often Baltic amber, Copal and Plastic. A refractive index of 1.54-1.55 and a specific gravity near 1.03-1.10 separate it quickly.
What is burmite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and carving and sculpture. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for burmite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about burmite