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Amber
#FFBF00 · click to copy
Warm
HEX
#FFBF00
RGB
255, 191, 0
CMYK
0%, 25%, 100%, 0%
Pigment
PY42, PY43
Lightfastness
Excellent (I)
Moods & Keywords
orange
yellow
warm
golden
ancient
natural
light
Pigment & Material
PY42, PY43
Natural
A mixture of yellow and orange, historically from orpiment or chrome yellow pigments.
Origin & History
Amber the material has been treasured since the Stone Age — Neolithic humans traded Baltic amber across Europe. As a colour term, amber derives from the Arabic "anbar" (ambergris). The Amber Room at Catherine Palace in Russia was considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World" before its destruction in WWII.
Also Known As
Yellow Amber
Fossil Resin Yellow
Succinite Yellow
Bernstein
Psychology
Warm, luminous, and ancient. Amber carries a sense of preserved time — insects trapped in amber for millions of years. It is reassuring and golden, associated with honey, autumn light, and ancient warmth. Less aggressive than orange, more golden than yellow.
In Culture
In traffic lights, amber signals caution — between the urgency of red and the safety of green. Baltic amber has been a trade commodity since 1500 BCE. In Chinese medicine, amber (琥珀, hǔpò) is used in traditional preparations. Amber is the national stone of Lithuania and Latvia.
Natural Sources
True amber is fossilised tree resin — primarily from Pinus succinifera trees, 40–50 million years old. Found mainly along Baltic coasts. Amber as a pigment (ground amber in oil) was used historically but is rare. The colour amber is better represented by yellow iron oxides (goethite) or heated honey.
Making It Yourself
Amber-coloured watercolour:
Mix raw sienna (PBr7) with a small amount of quinacridone gold (PO49).
Oil paint: yellow ochre (PY43) lightened with naples yellow (PBr24).
Natural resin amber: dissolve small amber pieces in alcohol (ethanol) to create a warm golden varnish — historically used as a transparent glaze.
Mix raw sienna (PBr7) with a small amount of quinacridone gold (PO49).
Oil paint: yellow ochre (PY43) lightened with naples yellow (PBr24).
Natural resin amber: dissolve small amber pieces in alcohol (ethanol) to create a warm golden varnish — historically used as a transparent glaze.
Art Movements
Art Nouveau
Symbolism
Baroque (glazing techniques)
Famous Works
The Amber Room
original 18th century, destroyed WWII (recreated 2003)
Any Baroque interior with amber glazes
Jewellery and decorative arts
amber has been used since Neolithic times
Available As
Winsor & Newton — Yellow Ochre (PY43) — closest natural equivalent
Daniel Smith — Quinacridone Gold (PO49)
Golden — Yellow Oxide (PY42)
Amsterdam — Gold Ochre
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Colour data compiled with AI. Spot an error or have more to add? Leave a Note — ekphra reviews and updates.
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