A large amber gem, used for decades as a simple doorstop in a Romanian home, is now confirmed to be a rare and valuable find. Experts say the stone, weighing about 3.5 kilograms, is one of the biggest of its kind ever discovered. Its value is now estimated at around $1 million.
The story began in the early 1990s. A relative inherited the house of an elderly woman in southeastern Romania after she passed away in 1991. The home was ordinary, but one unusual object stood out — a red, shiny rock that had been picked up from a nearby stream. The woman had used it to keep her door open.
Years later, the family member grew curious. They decided to take the stone to a specialist for examination. To their surprise, the once-overlooked rock turned out to be amber — a rare fossilized tree resin that can be millions of years old.
Doorstop was of the largest amber gems ever found
Experts at the Provincial Museum of Buzău quickly confirmed its importance. Museum director Daniel Costache called it a major discovery, saying it holds great value for science and history. The stone is now considered a protected national treasure and is kept at the museum for further study.
The museum plans to continue analyzing the amber. Scientists are checking its material closely. They want to see if it contains anything trapped inside, such as tiny parts of old plants or insects. These small finds could offer clues about the world millions of years ago.
Amber forms over long periods of time. It begins as sticky tree sap. With pressure and time, it hardens and turns into a solid gem-like substance. Researchers believe this amber came from ancient trees and is likely between 38 and 70 million years old.
A discovery that surprised even experts
Because of its size and condition, this amber is considered extremely rare. It is also prized for its deep color and shiny surface. For hundreds of years, amber has been used to make jewelry and ornaments. Some people even believe it has healing powers.
This Romanian discovery also caused confusion at first. Early reports said the amber had been sold to the Croatian government and taken to Poland. However, museum officials later confirmed that it has never left Romania.
This isn’t the first time a valuable item has been hiding in plain sight. In 2018, a similar event happened in Michigan, United States. A 10-kilogram rock was used as a doorstop there too. Later, scientists discovered it was actually a rare meteorite. That rock was valued at $100,000.
These stories show that even the most ordinary things can hold hidden treasures. Sometimes, great value lies in the most unexpected places — like a dusty doorstop in an old home.