mineral

Amazonite

Microcline (KAlSi3O8) with lead impurities

Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs), Color: sea-green to turquoise blue, Luster: Vitreous to pearly, Crystal structure: Triclinic, Cleavage: Perfect in two directions. Common perthitic (white streak) texture.

Hardness: 6-6

Identified June 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs), Color: sea-green to turquoise blue, Luster: Vitreous to pearly, Crystal structure: Triclinic, Cleavage: Perfect in two directions. Common perthitic (white streak) texture.

Formation & geological history

Forms in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks under slow-cooling conditions where mineral chemistry is influenced by lead and water content. Mostly from the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone for jewelry, carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.

Geological facts

Named after the Amazon River, though it is not actually found there. Its color was long thought to be due to copper, but research suggests it is caused by small amounts of lead and water within the feldspar structure.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive bluish-green color and the presence of white streaks (perthitic textures) crisscrossing the surface. Found in Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, and the USA (Colorado and Virginia).