What Is Burmite?

Burmite is a type of fossilized resin (amber) that comes from northern Myanmar, specifically the Hukawng Valley. It was formed around 99 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.

As trees released sticky resin to protect themselves from damage, small insects, spiders, and plant material became trapped in the sticky substance. Over millions of years, the resin hardened and fossilized into amber preserving its inclusions in stunning detail.

How Old Is Burmese Amber?

Burmese amber, or burmite, dates back to the mid-Cretaceous period, around 99 million years ago. This makes it significantly older than Baltic amber (~44 million years old) and even older than Dominican amber (~16–20 million years).

This extreme age is part of what makes burmite so fascinating: the inclusions represent ancient life forms that lived alongside dinosaurs.

What Can Be Found Inside Burmite?

Thanks to the rapid fossilization process, inclusions are often extraordinarily well preserved. Some of the most common and rare inclusions include:

• Insects: ants, flies, beetles, gnats
• Arachnids: spiders, ticks, even scorpions
• Plants: moss, flowers, pollen grains
• Water bubbles: moving “enhydro” bubbles sealed for millions of years

Some burmite inclusions have even led to the discovery of new species, unknown to science before their discovery in amber and even Lizard can get trapped in these unique pieces.

Why Is Burmese Amber So Valuable?

Burmite holds both scientific and collector value:

• Scientific relevance: It provides a window into mid-Cretaceous ecosystems and has contributed to over 300 published research papers.
• Aesthetic appeal: Rich golden-orange tones, often with reddish hues, used in jewelry.
• Rarity & legality: Especially specimens with large or rare inclusions are sought after, and due to modern export restrictions from Myanmar, ethical and legally sourced burmite is becoming harder to obtain.

Caution: Authenticity

Due to high demand, fake Burmese amber is not uncommon on the market. Always purchase from trusted sellers who provide:

• High-resolution photos of the inclusion
• Guarantee authenticity

At FossilsAndMore.com, we only offer genuine, Burmese amber, with clear provenance and inclusion details.

Interested in Real Burmite?

Explore our collection of Burmese amber fossils with authentic inclusions 

Want more articles like this? We’ll soon publish guides on:

• “How to Spot Fake Amber”
• “Top 5 Rarest Inclusions Found in Burmite”
• “How to Store and Preserve Fossil Amber”

Stay tuned and feel free to reach out if you're looking for a specific inclusion like a spider, ant, or water bubble!