Amazonite

Amazonite, despite the name, does not occur in the Amazon basin. Presumably, the name has been associated with the colours – a light bluey-green colour, or the Amazon river area produced another green stone.

There is a significant difference in both colour and texture between Chinese and Russian Amazonite – or Russian and Peruvian.

The Russian material tends to be a darker green, with occasional white stripes and patches, whereas the other locales tend to produce a smooth light green colour.

Showing all 9 results

Appearance, Uses and History

Amazonite is a trade name, rather than a specific mineral – it is a variety of Microcline.

There is archaeological evidence that Amazonite has been carved and used as a gemstone for at least two thousand years, from excavations of civilisations in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Amazonite is still used as a gemstone, although it is very uncommon in mass produced jewellery. Amazonite is, however, quite prized by mineral collectors. It has good colour and often occurs with other minerals, including quartz, schorl, and smoky Quartz.

It was potentially named after the Amazon river, although no Amazonite has been found there – it could have been named after another green stone in the area, though. Alternately, it may have simply reminded the namer of the colours of the Amazon.

Locales

Amazonite is found in a few countries worldwide including Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and the USA.

Mineralogy

Chemistry
A form of microcline feldspar with the formula K(AlSi3O8).
Colours and Variations
Green, blue green, often with white, grey, or cream coloured stripes or patches.
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous
Fracture
Uneven, conchoidal
Transparency
Almost always opaque, rarely translucent.
Crystal habit
Prismatic, usually blocky or tabular crystals, often massive.
Mohs hardness
6.0 – 6.5
Specific Gravity
2.55 – 2.57
Fluorescence
Occasional, weak.
Easiest testing method
Common Treatments

Hazards and Warnings

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Amazonite does also contain enough lead to be considered an issue, especially if jewellery is being made from it.

Translations

Arabic:

  • امازونيت

Hindi:

Portuguese:

  • amazonita

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

  • ਐਮਾਜ਼ੋਨਾਈਟ

English:

Italian:

Russian:

  • амазонит

French:

Japanese:

  • アマゾナイト

Spanish:

  • amazonita

German:

  • Amazonit

Korean:

Thai:

  • แอมะซอไนต์

Gujurati:

  • એમેઝોનાઇટ

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 天河石

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links