Comparison · Organic Gems vs Sulfide Minerals
Amber vs Realgar
Amber and Realgar are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 2.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Amber and Realgar
- Both sit near Mohs 2.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Amber leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Realgar leaves orange-red to yellow-orange.
- Realgar feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.56 versus 1.1 for Amber).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Amber is transparent, Realgar is translucent.
- They overlap in orange and red, but Amber also comes in yellow, brown, green, and blue.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Amber is amorphous, Realgar is monoclinic.
Amber vs Realgar properties
| Property | Amber | Realgar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Organic Gems | Sulfide Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 | 1.75 |
| Luster | resinous | resinous |
| Streak | White | Orange-red to yellow-orange |
| Transparency | transparent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 1.1 | 3.56 |
| Crystal system | amorphous | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Yellow, Orange, Brown, Red, Green, Blue | Red, Orange-red, Orange |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $20–$5000+ | $10–$450+ |
Which is more valuable?
Amber is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $70 for Realgar, 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 Realgar
Realgar is an arsenic sulfide mineral famous for its brilliant orange-red to red color and resinous luster. It forms soft, often translucent crystals and granular crusts, and slowly breaks down to a powder when exposed to light.
Amber vs Realgar FAQ
Is Amber the same as Realgar?
No. Amber is a organic gem while Realgar is a sulfide mineral. Both sit near Mohs 2.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Amber from Realgar?
Both sit near Mohs 2.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Amber leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Realgar leaves orange-red to yellow-orange. Realgar feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.56 versus 1.1 for Amber).
Which is harder, Amber or Realgar?
Amber is harder: Mohs 2.5 against Mohs 1.75 for Realgar.
Which is more valuable, Amber or Realgar?
Amber is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $70 for Realgar, and premium Amber can reach $5000 or more.
