AMAZONITE

Amazonite is very colorful and often occurs in beautiful crystal clusters. That makes it extremely popular with mineral specimen collectors.

Some of the most popular amazonite specimens are from Teller County, Colorado, where amazonite crystals are often accompanied by large prismatic crystals of smoky quartz. Large artistic specimens often sell for thousands of dollars, but you can purchase small attractive specimens more affordably. Amazonite often occurs with other minerals such as albite feldspar, cleavelandite, quartz, and schorl tourmaline.

Amazonite occurs in color ranges of bluish green, to green, and rarely, to greenish blue. These colors can be pale, almost pastel, or vivid with a high saturation. The color of amazonite is often interrupted by streaks and inclusions of white quartz or feldspar. The mineral’s color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of lead.

USES

Amazonite can be used to make cabochons, tumbled stones and other lapidary items. A popular mineral specimen with collectors, especially when they also contain feldspars or smoky quartz. Rare igneous rocks can contain significant amounts of amazonite. These have been used as a ornamental stones.

MOHS HARDNESS

6 – 6.5

WHERE TO FIND

Amazonite is found in small deposits in several parts of the world. These deposits are found in the United States, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden.

In the United States, the area around Pike’s Peak, Colorado and Amelia Courthouse, Virginia produce beautiful, gem-quality amazonites.