mineral
Amazonite
Microcline (KAlSi3O8)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Blue-green or turquoise-green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Specific Gravity: 2.56-2.58
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Color
- Blue-green or turquoise-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Blue-green or turquoise-green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Specific Gravity: 2.56-2.58
Formation & geological history
Forms in granitic pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and schists. The color is attributed to the presence of small amounts of lead and water within the feldspar structure.
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. It was famously used in the mask of Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian jewelry.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its unique blue-green color and pearly to vitreous luster. Commonly found in Russia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and the Pikes Peak area of Colorado, USA.
