Amazonite

What is Amazonite?
Amazonite is a trade name used for a bluish-green to greenish-blue gem material that is made into cabochons, beads, and tumbled stones. It is a color variety of microcline, a potassium-rich member of the feldspar mineral group. Amazonite has a chemical composition of KAlSi3O8 and its color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of lead.

The gem was first named “Amazon stone”, after the Amazon River. That name evolved into Amazonite, which sounds more appropriate for a gem or a mineral. Some vendors have attempted to make the gem sound a little more valuable by calling it “Amazon jade”. That type of name is a “misnomer”, a name that suggests a different (and usually more valuable) identity - in this case, jade.

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Physical Properties of Amazonite

 * Chemical Classification
 * Silicate, tectosilicate
 * Color
 * Amazonite occurs in color range of bluish green, to green, and rarely, to greenish blue. These colors can be pale, almost pastel, or vivid with a high saturation. The color of amazonite is often interrupted by streaks and inclusions of white quartz or feldspar. The mineral’s color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of lead.
 * Streak
 * White
 * Luster
 * Vitreous. Cleavage faces sometimes exhibit a pearly luster.
 * Diaphaneity
 * Usually translucent to opaque. Rarely semitransparent.
 * Cleavage
 * Perfect in two directions. Cleavage planes usually intersect at or close to a 90-degree angle. In some specimens close inspection might be needed to identify cleavage faces.
 * Mohs Hardness
 * 6 to 6.5
 * Specific Gravity
 * 2.6 to 2.8
 * Diagnostic Properties
 * Its green to bluish green color in a range of saturations and tones. Two directions of cleavage intersecting at close to 90 degrees. Consistent hardness, specific gravity and pearly luster on some cleavage faces.
 * Chemical Composition
 * KAlSi3O8
 * Crystal System
 * Triclinic
 * Uses
 * Used to make cabochons, tumbled stones and other lapidary items. A popular mineral specimen with collectors, especially when associated with other feldspars or smoky quartz. Rare igneous rocks can contain significant amounts of amazonite; these have been used as an ornamental stone.
 * }
 * Diagnostic Properties
 * Its green to bluish green color in a range of saturations and tones. Two directions of cleavage intersecting at close to 90 degrees. Consistent hardness, specific gravity and pearly luster on some cleavage faces.
 * Chemical Composition
 * KAlSi3O8
 * Crystal System
 * Triclinic
 * Uses
 * Used to make cabochons, tumbled stones and other lapidary items. A popular mineral specimen with collectors, especially when associated with other feldspars or smoky quartz. Rare igneous rocks can contain significant amounts of amazonite; these have been used as an ornamental stone.
 * }
 * Uses
 * Used to make cabochons, tumbled stones and other lapidary items. A popular mineral specimen with collectors, especially when associated with other feldspars or smoky quartz. Rare igneous rocks can contain significant amounts of amazonite; these have been used as an ornamental stone.
 * }

What is Amazonite?
Amazonite is a trade name used for a bluish-green to greenish-blue gem material that is made into cabochons, beads, and tumbled stones. It is a color variety of microcline, a potassium-rich member of the feldspar mineral group. Amazonite has a chemical composition of KAlSi3O8 and its color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of lead.

The gem was first named “Amazon stone”, after the Amazon River. That name evolved into Amazonite, which sounds more appropriate for a gem or a mineral. Some vendors have attempted to make the gem sound a little more valuable by calling it “Amazon jade”. That type of name is a “misnomer”, a name that suggests a different (and usually more valuable) identity - in this case, jade.