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Amazonite Information

Amazonite is the rare green variety of MICROCLINE Feldspar.

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AMAZONITE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Amazonite Chemical Composition: KAlSi₃O₈
• Class: tektosilicate
• Amazonite crystal system: triclinic; bar 1
• Amazonite Crystal habit: as anhedral to euhedral crystals or massive, lattice (perthitic) intergrowth with albite is usually present, also rarely in a cuneform interpenetrating pattern with quartz known as graphic granite
• Twinning: twinned according to the albite twin law with {010} the twin plane, and the pericline twin law with b the twin axis. Carlsbad twins also occur, but baveno and manebach twins are rare.
• Amazonite specific gravity: 2.56-2.57
• Index of refraction: 1.53
• Birefringence: weak maximum birefringence of 0.008 seen on {001} sections.
• Amazonite Hardness: 6 to 6.5
• Color: various shades of green to blue-green
• Luster: vitreous
• Transparency: opaque to translucent, rarely transparent
• Amazonite Cleavage: characteristic cleavages are {001} perfect and {010} distinct intersecting at approximately ninety degrees
• Fracture: conchoidal

FELDSPAR (Amazonite) BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the earth's crust, feldspars are more abundant than all other minerals combined. The majority of the common feldspars fall into two groups, the alkali feldspars (KAlSi₃O₈ through NaAlSi₃O₈ series), and the plagioclase feldspars (NaAlSi₃O₈ through CaAl₂Si₂O₈ series). Amazonite (KAlSi₃O₈) is the rare green variety of microcline, which is the low temperature pure potassium end member of the alkali feldspar group.

At high temperatures, the alkali feldspars form a continuous solid solution series, however at medium to low crystalization temperatures the sodium feldspar (albite) and potassium feldspar (amazonite, microcline or orthoclase) separate forming lattice type exsolution intergrowths, usually as thin layers of albite roughly parallel to {100} in a host crystal of potassium feldspar. This is known as perthitic texture. In amazonite, this perthitic texture is usually visible to the eye as thin white parallel laths of albite in the green amazonite host.

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AMAZONITE GEOLOGIC OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

Microcline is the common potasium feldspar variety in pegmatites. In rare cases, the green variety amazonite occurs. Its green color is thought to be due to trace impurities of lead and OH^-1.
Quartz and microcline can crystalize simultaneously in pegmatites in an interpenetrating pattern known as graphic granite. This pattern is very striking when present in the green variety amazonite.

In the field amazonite is most easily recognized by its color, cleavage, and occurance. Amazonite is typically associated with albite feldspar and smoky quartz.

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AMAZONITE HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND USES

Amazonite was named for the Amazon river. Although it does occur in Brazil, amazonite has not been found in the vicinity of this great river.
The name microcline comes from two Greek words meaning little and inclined, referring to the cleavage angle's slight inclination from ninety degrees. Feldspar is derived from the German word feld which means field.

Amazonite is used as an ornamental lapidary material.

The astrological sign of amazonite is virgo.
Amazonite is the birthstone for the month of December.

AMAZONITE METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Amazonite is said to calm one's emotions & soothe nerves, and to enhance creativity and the ability to express oneself. The deeper the color of the amazonite, the more intense the effect is said to be.
Amazonite is said to aleviate muscle spasms and to help normalize calcium levels in the body, and to relieve stress and exhaustion.
Being a variety of microcline feldspar, amazonite is said to also possess all the properties of microcline as well: Microcline is said to be usefull in the treatment of eye disorders and fevers, and to help control water retention and to help with ease of childbirth. It is said to stimulate clarity of thought, to enhance understanding, and to improve one's ability to cooperate with others.

For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.

This is the end of our Amazonite Factsheet and Information page.