Amazonite is a soft blue-green stone whose name points to a river it may never have come from. It is a variety of feldspar, and has a pale, milky colour that recalls shallow tropical water.
What it is
Amazonite is a variety of microcline, a potassium feldspar, with a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Its blue-green colour is traditionally attributed to small amounts of lead and water within the crystal structure, although the exact cause has been debated. Many pieces show a pale network of white streaks, called perthitic intergrowth, caused by the mixing of two feldspar minerals.
Deposits are found in the Ilmen Mountains in Russia, in Colorado at the Pikes Peak area in the United States, and in Brazil, Madagascar, India, Namibia and Canada, among other places.
History and culture
The name is usually traced to the Amazon River, but it is often said that there is no deposit on the river itself and that the name was a mistake. The name may come from an old report of green stones from the region, or from the legend of the Amazons, the warrior women of Greek myth. The story is uncertain, and it is a good example of how gem names can be misleading.
Amazonite has been used in jewellery and carving for a long time, and some sources say it was used in ancient Egypt and in Mesopotamia, though such identifications are difficult to confirm because green stones were often grouped together. Russian stone carvers have worked amazonite from the Urals into boxes and ornaments, and the blue-green amazonite of the Pikes Peak area in Colorado is well known to collectors in the United States.
What crystal traditions associate with it
In many crystal traditions, amazonite is associated with calm communication, honesty and gentle courage, and with the heart and throat chakras. Its name and its links with the Amazon warriors have also led some people to associate it with strength. It is often paired with Virgo and Aquarius in zodiac stone lists, though sources vary. These are symbolic readings and not claims about effects.
How people use it
Amazonite is worn as beads, cabochons, pendants and rings, and is sold as tumbled stones and palm stones. Polished spheres and carved animals are popular as display pieces. Its soft colour pairs well with silver, and it is a common material in beaded bracelets.
Care and safety
- Amazonite has perfect cleavage in two directions and is easily chipped. Avoid knocks, especially in rings.
- Strong light can fade the colour over a very long period. Do not leave it on a bright windowsill for years.
- Clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and sudden heat.
- Some amazonite contains small amounts of lead, so do not swallow it, do not place it in drinking water, and do not make an elixir with it.
- Wash hands after handling rough pieces.
Dyed and imitation stones
Amazonite is often imitated, and dyed stones, such as dyed howlite or dyed quartz, are sold under the name. Natural amazonite tends to show white streaks and a slightly pale, milky colour. A very uniform, strong blue or green suggests dye.
Sourcing
Amazonite is mined in several countries, often in small-scale operations. Ask where a stone came from if you want to know more about how it was obtained.
A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
↳ Does amazonite come from the Amazon?
Probably not. It is often said that the name is a mistake and there is no known deposit on the river itself.
↳ Why does amazonite have white lines?
The lines come from the intergrowth of two feldspar minerals, and they are a normal feature of the natural stone.
↳ Can amazonite fade?
Its colour can fade with strong light over a long period, so avoid leaving it in direct sun.