Comparison · Organic Gems vs Arsenate Minerals
Amber vs Mimetite
Amber and Mimetite are easy to confuse. Mimetite is harder (Mohs 3.75) than Amber (Mohs 2.5), so Mimetite will scratch Amber and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Amber and Mimetite
- Mimetite is harder (Mohs 3.75) than Amber (Mohs 2.5), so Mimetite will scratch Amber and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
- Mimetite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 7.24 versus 1.1 for Amber).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Amber is transparent, Mimetite is translucent.
- They overlap in yellow, orange, brown, and green, but Amber also comes in red and blue and Mimetite also comes in white.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Amber is amorphous, Mimetite is hexagonal.
Amber vs Mimetite properties
| Property | Amber | Mimetite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Organic Gems | Arsenate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 | 3.75 |
| Luster | resinous | resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 1.1 | 7.24 |
| Crystal system | amorphous | hexagonal |
| Common colors | Yellow, Orange, Brown, Red, Green, Blue | Yellow, Orange, Yellow-brown, Pale green, White |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $20–$5000+ | $15–$600+ |
Which is more valuable?
Amber is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $90 for Mimetite, and premium Amber can reach $5000 or more.
About Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin, typically 30-90 million years old. It often contains preserved insects and plants, providing windows into prehistoric life.
About Mimetite
Mimetite is a lead arsenate mineral that forms in the weathered zones of lead ore deposits. It is admired for its rounded botryoidal crusts and barrel-shaped crystals in warm yellow, orange, and brown tones.
Amber vs Mimetite FAQ
Is Amber the same as Mimetite?
No. Amber is a organic gem while Mimetite is a arsenate mineral. Mimetite is harder (Mohs 3.75) than Amber (Mohs 2.5), so Mimetite will scratch Amber and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
How can you tell Amber from Mimetite?
Mimetite is harder (Mohs 3.75) than Amber (Mohs 2.5), so Mimetite will scratch Amber and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Mimetite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 7.24 versus 1.1 for Amber). Hold a thin edge to the light: Amber is transparent, Mimetite is translucent.
Which is harder, Amber or Mimetite?
Mimetite is harder: Mohs 3.75 against Mohs 2.5 for Amber.
Which is more valuable, Amber or Mimetite?
Amber is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $90 for Mimetite, and premium Amber can reach $5000 or more.
