Guide to minerals: Amazonite

Steven Marquez (USA) The specimen displayed is a variety of microcline feldspar, referred to as amazonite. Many jewellers love this mineral for making cabochons because of its brilliant colour, which is thought to be caused by traces of lead and water. The gemstone is called the “Stone of Hope”, because it is thought to inspire confidence and hope. The name “amazonite” comes from the Amazon River in South America. It can also be found at the Lake George area, along with smoky quartz. However, its occurrence is very limited. Fig. 1. This specimen of amazonite was mined in the Lake George area of Colorado. ASW Veatch specimen (photo Steven Marquez). Facts on fileChemical formula: KAlSi3O8Composition: potassium aluminium silicateColour: bluish green or verdigris greenCrystals: triclinicCleavage: good, two directions at 90oFracture: unevenLustre: vitreousStreak: whiteHardness: 6Transparency: noneSpecific gravity: 2.56-2.57An amazonite haiku: Microcline feldspar. Bluish or verdigris green. The perfect jewellery Further reading Chesterman, Charles W. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. Hall, Cathy. Smithsonian Handbooks: Gemstones. New York . Dorling-Kindersley, 2002. About the author Fig. 2. Author, Steven Marquez, is active inthe study of rocks and minerals in the Pikes Peak region. (Photo by Steven Veatch.) Steven Marquez is an Earth Science Scholar with the Pikes Peak Pebble Pups and is a member of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society. He is a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers, and is in the 8th grade. He lives in Colorado Springs. Share this:FacebookTwitterTumblrMoreEmailPrintLinkedInPinterestRedditPocketLike this:Like … Read More