Rumanite

Garry Platt writes:

Romania has several scattered sources of amber. Probably the most famous being that situated around the village of Colti in the Buzau district. Rumanite probably originated from a leguminous tree as the presence of succinite has been analysed to be generally less than 5%. This would therefore make the correct nomenclature of this deposit retinite and not amber. Particles of wood have been found within these amber deposits and have been identified as Sequoioxylon gypsaceum. The age of Rumanite from Colti has been established as Oligocene. Almashite and Muntentite are both names that have been used to describe amber originating from different geographic regions within Romania, Almashite from Piatra and Muntenite from the Oltenia region. Amber has also been recovered from the Cretaceous age at Sibiu in the Carpathians.

Rumanite has had a chequered history as regards its extraction. Known of and recorded by the Romans the mining probably reached its highest point in the 1900’s. The mining was nationalised in later years but never proved a commercial success and the mining was officially abandoned. Examples of this deposit are extremely difficult to come by today. Visitors to Colti may visit a recently opened museum of amber in the village.

More info @ http://www.gplatt.demon.co.uk/typesof.htm