mineral
Amazonite (Microcline Feldspar)
K(AlSi3O8) - Potassium Aluminum Silicate
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6-6.5 Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue-green to teal-blue. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Triclinic. Cleavage: Perfect in two directions intersecting at nearly 90 degrees. Specific gravity: 2.56-2.58.
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Color
- Pale blue-green to teal-blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More mineral →
Explore Amazonite (Microcline Feldspar) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue-green to teal-blue. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Triclinic. Cleavage: Perfect in two directions intersecting at nearly 90 degrees. Specific gravity: 2.56-2.58.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins through magmatic crystallization. The distinct green-blue color is caused by trace amounts of lead and water content within the feldspar lattice structure.
Uses & applications
Used extensively as an ornamental stone, for lapidary work, cabochons, beads, carvings, and popular among mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Named after the Amazon River, though no actual deposits are found in the Amazon itself. It has been used for thousands of years, with artifacts found in ancient Egyptian tombs, including beads from King Tutankhamun's reign.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive pale turquoise-blue to blue-green color combined with typical feldspar cleavage planes and crystalline texture. Commonly found in Colorado (USA), Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
