DigMyGem Gem encyclopedia

Amazonite

Feldspar Family

Amazonite is a green to blue-green variety of potassium feldspar, usually microcline. Its color is linked mainly to small amounts of lead and water in the feldspar, and pale streaks commonly follow its internal feldspar structure.

Identity

Material or variety
Microcline
Scientific or material identity
Feldspar
Classification
Natural mineral or mineral variety
Aliases or trade names
Amazonstone
Composition or formula
(K,Na,Ca)(Al,Si)₄O₈
Crystal system or structure
Variable
Geological or manufacturing origin
Forms in igneous rock or volcanic material.
Mohs hardness
6 to 6.5
Specific gravity
2.55 to 2.76

Origins

Brazil · Ethiopia · Madagascar · Russia · USA

Appearance & optical properties

turquoise-green feldspar with white streaks.

History & discovery

The name refers to the Amazon River, where green stones were once reported, although no amazonite deposit is known there. The material was recognized as a distinct mineral variety in the eighteenth century, and archaeological finds show that green feldspar was worked in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia more than three thousand years ago.

Uses & care

Common uses
Amazonite is cut into cabochons, beads and jewelry, polished for ornamental objects, and collected as blocky crystals, often with smoky quartz or pale feldspar.
Handling and cleaning
Wash it gently with lukewarm water and mild soap, then dry it with a soft cloth. Its perfect feldspar cleavage makes sharp knocks risky; avoid heat, harsh chemicals, steam and ultrasonic cleaning.

Jewellery

5 pieces of Amazonite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

  • Silhouette of Nile Drop Earrings

    Nile Drop Earrings

    Earrings

    Two smooth amazonite drops hang from gold wires, their turquoise green cooling the light around them.

  • Silhouette of Pharaoh's Collar

    Pharaoh's Collar

    Necklace

    Rows of small amazonite beads spread into a wide collar between bands of gold.

  • Silhouette of Turquoise Vault Ring

    Turquoise Vault Ring

    Ring

    A high-cabochon amazonite sits under a gold arch, its soft green taken straight from an oasis pool.

  • Silhouette of Nile Scarab Bracelet

    Nile Scarab Bracelet

    Bracelet

    An imagined bracelet in the style of ancient Egypt, where amazonite was used in jewellery more than three thousand years ago, its centre a carved scarab.

  • Silhouette of Nile Lotus Diadem

    Nile Lotus Diadem

    Tiara

    An imagined Egyptian-style gold diadem of lotus flowers inlaid with amazonite, the blue-green stone prized along the Nile.

Sources