A reddish stone once used as a doorstop in a quiet Romanian home for decades has turned out to be one of the largest pieces of amber gem ever found. Experts now estimate its value at around $1 million.
It all started in the early 1990s when a family member inherited the home of an elderly woman in southeastern Romania.
The woman passed away in 1991, leaving behind a simple household and an unusual rock she had picked up from a nearby stream years earlier. For decades, it served a humble purpose as a doorstop.
Curious about the strange object, the relative brought it to an expert for examination. What appeared to be a common stone was soon revealed to be a rare, 3.5-kilogram amber deposit—one of the largest intact pieces ever recorded.
Now officially classified as a national treasure and protected cultural asset, the amber is housed at the Provincial Museum of Buzău. The museum’s director, Daniel Costache, said, “Its discovery represents a great significance both at a scientific level and at a museum level.”
The museum plans to conduct further analysis on the specimen. Experts will study its composition and structure and explore whether it contains preserved biological materials, such as fragments of ancient plants or insects.
Amber forms over millions of years through the fossilization of tree resin. Scientists believe this particular piece is between 38 and 70 million years old and originated from the resin of ancient conifer trees. Over time, the resin hardened and fossilized under pressure, preserving it through the ages.
Rock Serving as Doorstop for Decades Discovered to Be Worth Over $1 Million.
An elderly woman found a 3.5-kilogram (7.7-pound) reddish stone in a stream bed near the village of Colți in southeast Romania. She brought it home and used it as a doorstop for decades, unaware of its… pic.twitter.com/dgbhVbKBCT
— History’s Mysteries 3.14 (@Historymysty314) April 7, 2025
Amber has long been prized for its beauty and has been used in jewelry and decorative items for centuries. Some cultures also credit it with healing properties. The size, condition, and history of this Romanian specimen make it a rare and remarkable find.
Reports initially suggested that the amber had been purchased by the Croatian government and moved to the Museum of History in Krakow, Poland. However, museum officials have since confirmed that it remains in Romania.
This story echoes a similar event in Michigan, United States, where a 10-kilogram rock used as a doorstop was identified in 2018 as a rare meteorite. The rock, brought to Central Michigan University, was believed to have fallen in the 1930s. It was later valued at $100,000.
Geology professor Mona Sirbescu, who identified the meteorite, said at the time, “I could tell right away that this was something special. It’s the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, monetarily and scientifically.”
Both cases serve as powerful reminders that everyday objects can hold surprising stories. Sometimes, true treasure sits quietly in the corners of our lives—even propping open a door.
