Description
AMAZONITE SPECIMEN
This is the polished blue amazonite specimen. Dimensions: 1.4 x 1.1 x 0.4″ (3.5 x 2.7 x 0.9cm). Weight – 0.5oz (15 grams). Origin: Russia, Transbaikalia.
Some information about amazonite:
Amazonite, also known as Amazonstone, is a green tectosilicate mineral, a variety of the potassium feldspar called microcline.
Its name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which green stones were formerly obtained, though it is unknown whether those stones were amazonite. It was first described as a distinct mineral only in the 18th century.
For many years, the source of amazonite’s color was a mystery. Naturally, many people assumed the color was due to copper because copper compounds often have blue and green colors. More recent studies suggest that the blue-green color results from small quantities of lead and water in the feldspar.
