Amber on screen: the mosquito that made a movie

In 1993, millions of people saw a piece of amber for the first time, on the top of a walking cane. Inside it was a mosquito, and with it the whole idea of Jurassic Park.

The idea

In Michael Crichton's novel and Steven Spielberg's film, scientists take dinosaur blood from a mosquito trapped in amber and use it to bring dinosaurs back. It is one of the best story ideas ever built around a gemstone.

What is true

Amber really does trap insects. Millions of years ago, flies, ants, spiders and even small lizards got stuck in sticky tree resin. The resin hardened around them and kept every wing and leg in place. Bringing back dinosaurs remains a job for the movies.

A window into an ancient forest

That is the real magic. A piece of amber with an inclusion is a moment from an ancient forest, frozen and golden, that you can hold in your hand. No two are alike.

Want your own piece of the story? Look through our amber with insects, or learn how amber forms.