Characteristics of Copal:

Chemical Name: Copal gum

Formula: C10H16O

Colors: Light lemon yellow to orange

Structure: Amorphous

Hardness: 2.5-3

Specific Gravity: 1.05-1.10

Refractive Index: 1.54

Lustre: Resinous

Locations: Malaysia, Philippines, Africa, Columbia, New Zealand

What is Copal? 

Copal is semi-fossilized tree resin from the Copal tree, Protium Copal. It differs from amber, which also results from tree resin, in that it is far younger – Copal is less than 100,000 years old, while amber may be millions of years in the making. For this reason, Copal is more common and thus cheaper, although it is often used to imitate amber. Copal has historically been burned as incense, especially in offering to the Mayan gods in Mesoamerica. European later valued it as an ingredient in wood varnish, particularly during the 19^th and 20^th centuries.