Amazonite
What is Amazonite?
Amazonite is a green variety of microcline feldspar that is named after the Amazon River in Brazil, although no deposits have been found there. It’s primarily found in Russia, Madagascar, and Colorado. Amazonite has a soothing blue-green color that has made it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items.
Amazonite is a blue-green stone that belongs to the feldspar family. Its soothing colors and lustrous appearance make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items. It’s often used in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, and is sometimes used to make beads.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Tectosilicate |
| Color | Ranges from light green to blue-green, sometimes with white streaks. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous. |
| Transparency | Opaque. |
| Occurrence | Russia, Madagascar, and Brazil. |
| Formation | Amazonite forms in granite and pegmatites. |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Cleavage | Perfect in two directions |
| Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5. |
| Specific Gravity | 2.56-2.58. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Green to blue-green color. |
| Chemical Composition | KAlSi3O8 |
| Pleochroism | Not observed in amazonite. |
| Crystal System | Triclinic |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive Index | 1.522 - 1.530 |
| Birefringence | 0.008 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 70° to 75° |
| Dispersion | Not typically noted for amazonite as it's not a key feature of this stone. |