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Amazonite

Feldspar

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: October 2021
Amazonite Polished Amazonite Rough Amazonite Jewelry
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Amazonite Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care
  • More About Amazonite

Amazonite is a variety of microcline which is a member of the potassium feldspar group. Amazonite is typically light green to greenish blue or bluish green. It is used in cabochons, beads, and decorative items. It has been found at archeological sites in the middle east that date back 2000 years. Some of the best mineral specimens come from Pikes Peak in Colorado, United States of America.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Amazonite
Species
Feldspar
Transparency
Semitranslucent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.522-1.530
Tolerance:(+0.004/-0.004)
Birefringence
0.008
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert to weak yellowish green
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
6-6.5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
2.540-2.580 Typical:2.560
Toughness
Poor
Inclusions
mottled coloring with grid-like white streaks or patterns are caused by the presence of quartz or plagioclase feldspar
Luster
Vitreous, Greasy
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery
Cleavage
Perfect, in two directions
Chemical Name
potassium aluminum silicate
Chemical Formula
KAlSi3O8
Crystal System
Triclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Amazonite Colors

  • Blue Amazonite
    Blue
  • Green Amazonite
    Green

Alternate Names

Amazon Stone

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of); Myanmar; Russian Federation; Viet Nam; Czechia; United States of America; Egypt; Madagascar; Libya; Portugal; Austria; Mongolia; Sweden; Mozambique; Pakistan; Korea (the Republic of); Unknown; Malawi; China; Brazil; Poland; France; Nepal; Argentina; Sri Lanka; Japan; Ukraine; Zambia; Spain; Canada; Mauritania; Norway; Namibia; Finland; South Africa; Australia; Peru; Ethiopia; Germany; Tajikistan

Care

Avoid hard wear, heat, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Do not ingest. Not to be used as a drinking or whisky stone. Please do not ingest liquids that have held amazonite.

More About Amazonite

Ancient Egyptians considered amazonite to be a stone of courage and used it extensively in jewelry and as decorative accents. The 27th chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead was carved on amazonite and it's generally agreed that it is the third stone in the breastplate of Moses. Some cultures believe amazonite is named for the matriarchal societies of centuries ago. The image of a strong and powerful woman has its appeal when connected to the boy-blue-green of amazonite. People who believe in the metaphysical properties of stones consider amazonite to be a soothing stone. While we have no scientific evidence of this benefit, we agree that its easy color has a soothing appeal.

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