Gem Profile- Amazonite
Would you like to know more about any of the Feldspars that we covered? Here they are again: Amazonite, Labradorite, Moonstone, Sunstone.
Before we get into our Amazonite let's do an Introduction to Feldspar:
The name feldspar comes to us from Middle Low German; feld, meaning field, and spar, a non-metallic, easily-cleaved rock material; so translated literally, feldspar means field rock. True to its name, the plentiful group of minerals known as the Feldspars occur in almost every major rock category, forming more than half of our Earth's crust. Meteorites have also been found containing feldspars!
Before we get into our Amazonite let's do an Introduction to Feldspar:
The name feldspar comes to us from Middle Low German; feld, meaning field, and spar, a non-metallic, easily-cleaved rock material; so translated literally, feldspar means field rock. True to its name, the plentiful group of minerals known as the Feldspars occur in almost every major rock category, forming more than half of our Earth's crust. Meteorites have also been found containing feldspars!
The forty varieties of feldspars are crystalline aluminosilicate minerals. They form in all types of geological situations, including metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rock.
As one of Earth's major building blocks, basic feldspar changes slightly when it occurs with other minerals like calcium, sodium, or barium.
Those experienced with glass or clay glazes know that ground feldspar containing potassium really enhances colors.
Basic feldspar is used in so many ways that you likely use something made with it daily without knowing it.
Ground feldspar is used in toothpaste, scouring powder, electrical insulators, and certain dental work. Industrial producers add feldspar to silica as a flux to keep the boiling point down for glass and ceramics.
It is also used as a filler in rubber, paper, plastic products, paints, and fertilizers. There are many more processes and products that include feldspar than can be listed here.
Did you know a specimen of Lunar Feldspar was brought back from the Earth's moon by Apollo 16? Amazing!
There are so many types of feldspars that they have been broken into smaller groups based on composition.
Wire artists are most interested in the two groups that exhibit schillers (flashes of light): Orthoclase and Plagioclase.
In this first article, I will focus on one Microcline gem-rock form of feldspar that we all know better as amazonite, or amazonstone.
As one of Earth's major building blocks, basic feldspar changes slightly when it occurs with other minerals like calcium, sodium, or barium.
Those experienced with glass or clay glazes know that ground feldspar containing potassium really enhances colors.
Basic feldspar is used in so many ways that you likely use something made with it daily without knowing it.
Ground feldspar is used in toothpaste, scouring powder, electrical insulators, and certain dental work. Industrial producers add feldspar to silica as a flux to keep the boiling point down for glass and ceramics.
It is also used as a filler in rubber, paper, plastic products, paints, and fertilizers. There are many more processes and products that include feldspar than can be listed here.
Did you know a specimen of Lunar Feldspar was brought back from the Earth's moon by Apollo 16? Amazing!
There are so many types of feldspars that they have been broken into smaller groups based on composition.
Wire artists are most interested in the two groups that exhibit schillers (flashes of light): Orthoclase and Plagioclase.
In this first article, I will focus on one Microcline gem-rock form of feldspar that we all know better as amazonite, or amazonstone.
Now for AMAZONITE!
Rough amazonite, lapidary material. Right: Russian amazonite Left: Chinese amazonite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Rough amazonite, lapidary material. Right: Russian amazonite Left: Chinese amazonite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
As you might guess, the lovely aqua-green stone with white inclusions, called amazonite, was named for the region where it was first documented: the Amazon River.
However, although amazonite is found in Brazil, it is not found near the river itself.
Historians theorize that this beautiful lapidary material came from another location. Visitors were told it came from the river area to protect the true source.
To me, this was a smart local strategy, as many dangerous creatures make the Amazon River their home.
Amazonite pendant made with silver-plated wire by Wirejewelry Faculty member Albina Manning.
However, although amazonite is found in Brazil, it is not found near the river itself.
Historians theorize that this beautiful lapidary material came from another location. Visitors were told it came from the river area to protect the true source.
To me, this was a smart local strategy, as many dangerous creatures make the Amazon River their home.
Amazonite pendant made with silver-plated wire by Wirejewelry Faculty member Albina Manning.
Amazonite Qualities
Translucent to opaque amazonite is a green to bluish-green variety of potassium feldspar. Other colors include pink, white, and grey.
While this microcline feldspar occurs globally as large crystals or masses in pegmatites, the popular green or blue-green material is mainly mined in Colorado (USA), Russia, Madagascar, China, and Brazil.
It is also found in Africa, Ethiopia, and Australia. The Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 makes amazonite a wonderful lapidary material that easily takes a great polish.
The schiller (iridescence) in amazonite is caused by thin crystalline plates. These inclusions scatter light between the layers, creating a "schiller spar" effect.
Amazonite is sometimes used as an imposter for nephrite jade or as a turquoise fraud. However, the true material is extremely abundant, so there is little need to replicate it.
The most valuable amazonite is the pale bluish-green. Beware of vendors selling "rare, yellow" amazonite, as this is likely common nephrite.
The darker green version with white striations is better known as Russian amazonite. It is found in several European areas where its use as a gem dates back over 5,000 years.
A collection of amazonite beads and cabochons. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Translucent to opaque amazonite is a green to bluish-green variety of potassium feldspar. Other colors include pink, white, and grey.
While this microcline feldspar occurs globally as large crystals or masses in pegmatites, the popular green or blue-green material is mainly mined in Colorado (USA), Russia, Madagascar, China, and Brazil.
It is also found in Africa, Ethiopia, and Australia. The Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 makes amazonite a wonderful lapidary material that easily takes a great polish.
The schiller (iridescence) in amazonite is caused by thin crystalline plates. These inclusions scatter light between the layers, creating a "schiller spar" effect.
Amazonite is sometimes used as an imposter for nephrite jade or as a turquoise fraud. However, the true material is extremely abundant, so there is little need to replicate it.
The most valuable amazonite is the pale bluish-green. Beware of vendors selling "rare, yellow" amazonite, as this is likely common nephrite.
The darker green version with white striations is better known as Russian amazonite. It is found in several European areas where its use as a gem dates back over 5,000 years.
A collection of amazonite beads and cabochons. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Amazonite and Culture
Known as a "stone of courage and hope," this deep green stone is revered by native peoples in North Africa, especially Egypt. They treat it similarly to how some American Indians regard turquoise.
Carvings, beads, and amulets made of amazonite were found in King Tutankhamen's tomb. This proves the mineral has been important in that part of the world for centuries.
It has even been suggested that the famous emeralds collected by Cleopatra were actually amazonite.
Metaphysically speaking, amazonite is said to be a mineral that soothes emotional processes. It works to dispel irritating and negative energies.
It also soothes all the chakras, especially the heart and throat. In the Bible, amazonite was one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of the High Priest.
Amazonite is associated with the astrological sign of Virgo.
Known as a "stone of courage and hope," this deep green stone is revered by native peoples in North Africa, especially Egypt. They treat it similarly to how some American Indians regard turquoise.
Carvings, beads, and amulets made of amazonite were found in King Tutankhamen's tomb. This proves the mineral has been important in that part of the world for centuries.
It has even been suggested that the famous emeralds collected by Cleopatra were actually amazonite.
Metaphysically speaking, amazonite is said to be a mineral that soothes emotional processes. It works to dispel irritating and negative energies.
It also soothes all the chakras, especially the heart and throat. In the Bible, amazonite was one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of the High Priest.
Amazonite is associated with the astrological sign of Virgo.
Resources
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North America Rocks and Minerals by Charles W. Chesterman and Kurt E. Lowe, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Colored Stone, Vol. 22 No. 6, Dec 2009, Interweave Press
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Love Is in The Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.mindat.org
www.wikipedia.org
www.yourdictionary.com
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North America Rocks and Minerals by Charles W. Chesterman and Kurt E. Lowe, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Colored Stone, Vol. 22 No. 6, Dec 2009, Interweave Press
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Love Is in The Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.mindat.org
www.wikipedia.org
www.yourdictionary.com
Materials
Wire
Amazonite
Amazonite 18x25mm Rectangle Cabochon
E8-40Q
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Amazonite 25mm Square Cabochon
E8-40M
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WireJewelry Madagascar Stone Mix Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-100R
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- Price: $21.91
- Gold Club Price: $16.43
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
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- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Dale Armstrong
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