Chinese amber : review and perspectives

Abstract

This paper reviews the stratigraphic features, geological age, botanical origin and biological inclusion characteristics of six Chinese amber localities. The available evidence is used to infer paleoclimatic characteristics and to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. The general gemological characteristics, classification features and color types of amber gemstones are summarised. A grading scheme is proposed for Fushun amber, the only gem-quality amber in China, and the cultural significance of amber is summarised. The origin of Chinese amber includes Cretaceous Zhalainuoer amber and Hailar amber, Late Cretaceous Xixia amber, Eocene Fushun amber, Oligocene Nanning amber, Late Oligocene Lunpola amber, Miocene Zhangpu amber. The main amber layers are coal-bearing layers and sedimentary rock fragments. Comparison of the botanical origin and characteristics of biological inclusions shows that: during the Cretaceous, the palaeoclimate in central and northeastern China was warm and dry; during the Eocene, the palaeoclimate was warm and humid, and similar biota existed between Fushun amber and Baltic amber, suggesting that biota expansion and exchange occurred in the Asian and European continents after the closure of the Turgai Sea (30 Ma); and during the Middle Miocene, the climate was humid tropical rainforest climate. Possible links between localities exist in the Indian Cambay amber, Zhangpu amber and Lunpola amber. The Dipterocarpaceae and biota migrated and expanded after the continuity of the Indian subcontinent and the Asian continent. For the study of Chinese amber, it fills the gap between the Cretaceous and Eocene periods in the Earth's evolutionary history. Fushun amber is the only precious amber in China. In addition to being a precious gemstone material, amber is also an important carrier of cultural exchange between China and the West, reflecting the unique charm of organic gemstones.