mineral

Amazonite

Microcline (Potassium Feldspar), KAlSi3O8

Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from bright turquoise-green to bluish-green and pale yellow with characteristic white or cream-colored mottled streaks (schiller effect), vitreous to pearly luster, triclinic crystal system, perfect cleavage in two directions at nearly right angles, specific gravity of 2.56…

Identified July 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in pegmatites, granitic rocks, and hydrothermal veins where potassium-rich solutions crystallize slowly under high temperatures, often millions of years old.

Uses & applications

Popularly used as a gemstone in beaded jewelry, cabochons, carvings, ornamental objects, and as a collector specimen.

Geological facts

The distinctive green color of amazonite was traditionally attributed to copper, but modern research shows it is caused by trace amounts of lead and water within the feldspar structure.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its characteristic green-to-blue-green color combined with a mottled white grid-like pattern (tartan twinning). Commonly found in the Amazon River region (though sources there are debated), USA, Russia, Madagascar, and Brazil.