Amazonite - Extraordinary Feldspar

Amazonite has a soft green to blue green color, often with thin white streaks interlacing the green. It forms blocky prismatic or tabular crystals with angles that are not quite ninety degrees. Because of its natural beauty it is used to make jewelry and other ornamental objects. Amazonite has a glassy iridescence and ranges from translucent to opaque. It is found in few places in the world and is associated with pegmatites.

Amazonite has the chemical formula KAlSi3O8 or potassium aluminum silicate. It is the green variety of microcline feldspar.

Feldspars are the most abundant mineral in the earth's crust. Microcline is the common potassium feldspar found in pegmatites. However, the green variety of microcline feldspar is a somewhat rare occurrence. It is believed that the green color comes from traces of lead and water.

Feldspars can be alkali, KAlSi3O8 through NaAlSi3O8 series, or they can be plagioclase, NaAlSi3O8 through CaAl2Si2O8 series. Amazonite is the pure potassium end member of the alkali group. It crystallizes at relatively low temperatures.

At low crystallization temperatures the potassium feldspar, Amazonite, and the sodium feldspar, Albite, separate into layers. This is seen as thin white bands of Albite within the green amazonite crystal.

Schiller

One quality that makes Amazonite popular is Schiller. Schiller is similar to iridescense. It comes from light reflecting off different planes within the crystal structure of the mineral. Light reflects differently in each of these minerals causing the effect known as Schiller.

A Description

Amazonite is popular in jewelry and decorative objects as well as specimens for mineral collectors. Its cool iridescence gives it a shimmery quality that is extremely appealing. Because of its hardness, 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, it is easily shaped and polished into gem quality pieces. The deep blue-green color of Amazonite is beautiful mounted in both gold and silver settings.

Location

Some of the most beautiful specimens of Amazonite are found in Colorado, USA. Large prismatic crystals are found in the Pike's Peak area, and in Park and Teller counties. Amazonite can be found in the Ilmen mountains of Russia, as well as in Madagascar, and Brazil. The Colorado specimens are often found with smoky quartz, orthoclase, and albite. When this is the case the value of the specimen is much higher.

Amazonite Folklore, History, and Healing Properties

Some say the name of this beautiful mineral comes from the Amazon River. But while Amazonite has been found in Brazil, it has not been found close to the Amazon. Long before the Spanish discovered this mighty river in 1541, Amazonite was being used for decorative pieces by humans around the globe.

In Greek Mythology the Amazons were a nation of women warriors. While there is disagreement over the historical existence of the Amazons as a people, this is more likely the source of the name of this stone.

Amazonite has a calming affect on the emotions and nervous system. It promotes creativity and clarity of thought. It is said to be useful in treating eye problems, fevers, and to ease child birth. It is the birthstone of December.