Amber and its origin

Amber is not homogeneous in composition, but consists of several resinous substances more or less soluble in alcohol, ether, or chloroform, associated with an insoluble bituminous residue. The average composition leads to the general formula C₁₀Hi₆O, which is nearly the same as that for camphor (Cio Hi₈0). Heated to nearly 300° C. it suffers decomposition, yielding an “oil of amber” and leaving a black residue which is known as “amber colophony,” or “amber pitch”; this latter forms, when dissolved in oil of turpentine or in linseed oil, the “amber varnish” or “amber lac” of commerce.