Copal

Organic

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: October 2021
Copal Polished Copal Rough Copal Jewelry

Copal can be thought of as 'baby amber.' Like its much older counterpart, it is a hardened resin that originated as tree sap. Copal is similar in both appearance and chemistry to amber. Opinions vary from source to source as to when copal becomes amber, but the general consensus is that organic resin younger than 10 million years old is copal, while anything older is amber. As amber can be as old as 360 million years old, copal is substantially younger.

General Information

Common Name
Copal
Species
Organic
Transparency
Transparent - Translucent
Refractive Index
1.540-1.540
Tolerance:(-0.010)
Polariscope Reaction
Singly Refractive (SR) With ADR
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to strong bluish white more than amber
LWUV: Inert to weak bluish white
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
2
Specific Gravity
1.030-1.100 Typical:1.060
Toughness
Poor
Inclusions
Copal might show surface crazing. Sometimes contains insects, plant matter, hollow tubes, or air bubbles.
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Stability
Poor
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
None
Chemical Formula
amorphous organic material fossilized resin
Crystal System
NA
Chemistry Classification
Organic

Copal Colors

  • Blue Copal
    Blue
  • Brown Copal
    Brown
  • Green Copal
    Green
  • Multi-color Copal
    Multi-color
  • Orange Copal
    Orange
  • Red Copal
    Red
  • Yellow Copal
    Yellow

Countries of Origin

Colombia; Unknown; Poland; Madagascar; Lithuania

Care

Copal is very soft and less stable than amber when left untreated. Avoid abrasives, ultrasonic, solvents and heat. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, avoid alcohol and perfumes. Requires gentle handling. Clean with soft damp cloth only.