mineral
Amazonite
K(AlSi3O8) - Potassium Aluminum Silicate (color due to lead)
Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs scale); Color: teal/blue-green with white streaks; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect at or near 90 degrees; Specific gravity: 2.56-2.58
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Color
- teal/blue-green with white streaks
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs scale); Color: teal/blue-green with white streaks; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect at or near 90 degrees; Specific gravity: 2.56-2.58
Formation & geological history
Formed in plutonic rocks like pegmatites or granites; typically associated with quartz and feldspar minerals. Its green color comes from trace amounts of lead and water and it is several hundred million years old.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a gemstone for jewelry, beads, and cabochons. It is also a popular collector specimen for metaphysical or aesthetic purposes.
Geological facts
Known as the 'Amazon Stone,' though it is rarely found near the actual Amazon River. It was used in jewelry in Ancient Egypt; a scarab ring found in King Tut's tomb was made of Amazonite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive blue-green color and the presence of white, grid-like streaks or 'schiller' effect. Commonly found in Colorado (USA), Brazil, Russia, and Madagascar. Look for it in weathered granite outcrops.
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