Mexican amber is mainly recovered from fossil bearing rocks in the
Simojovel region of
Chiapas, Mexico. It is one of the main minerals recovered in the state of
Chiapas, much of which is from 23 to 27 million years old, with quality comparable to
that found in the Dominican Republic. Chiapan amber has a number of unique qualities, including much that is clear all the way through and some with fossilized insects and plants. Most Chiapan amber is worked into jewelry including pendants, rings and necklaces. Colors vary from white to yellow/orange to a deep red, but there are also green and pink tones as well. Since pre-Hispanic times, native peoples have believed amber to have healing and protective qualities. The largest amber mine is in
Simojovel, a small village 130 km from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, which produces 95% of Chiapas' amber. Other mines are found in Huitiupán, Totolapa, El Bosque, Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacán, Pantelhó and San Andrés Duraznal. According to the Museum of Amber in San Cristóbal, almost 300 kg of amber is extracted per month from the state. Prices vary depending on quality and color. The amber dates from between 22.5 million years old, for the youngest sediments of the
Balumtun Sandstone and 27.3 million years old for the oldest
La Quinta Formation. == Origin ==