Externally, this mineral resembles sea water. Its name is also associated with the greatest river in the world. It is inexpensive, but the unusual pattern makes each pebble unique. It is natural that the Amazonite stone does not suffer from people’s inattention. Sorcerers and witches use it as an energetic component of risky rituals, and ordinary citizens use it as a beautiful artifact or decoration.
Story. Origin
This stone has been known to people for a long time.
A turquoise mineral was discovered among the treasures of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. In India and Sudan, Amazonite was used to cladding buildings and to create talismans and jewelry.
Sometimes this mineral is called the “stone of the Amazons.” According to legend, he was revered by the fearless Amazons. They loved the color green and decorated themselves with a wonderful green stone, believing that it would bring courage in battle. This is where the stone got its name. This version is supported by the fact that when excavating a mound in the places where the Amazons lived, elements of jewelry and weapons with this stone are found.
But there is a second version of the origin of its name. It is believed that the mineral was named in honor of the Amazon, on the banks of which it was found. It later turned out that it was jade, not amazonite.
It is also known under other names:
- "Amazonian" jade;
- "Colorado" jade;
- “emerald edelspar” (as it was called in Russia).
The origin of this stone is igneous. It is formed in granites and pegmatite veins.
Physicochemical characteristics
Amazonite is a variety of microcline potassium feldspar. From the point of view of chemists, it is a silicate.
- Chemical formula - ( K, Na) AlSi3O8 .
- Color - light blue-green.
- The shine is glassy.
- Transparency - shows through at the edges.
- Hardness - 6–6,5.
- Density - 2.54–2.57 g / cm3 .
Amazonite becomes discolored when heated to 310–550°C . The color can be restored with x-rays, radiation, or by keeping it in the dark for a long time. If the temperature is above 600°C , the color cannot be restored.
Rarely found in crystal form. More often it forms veins, coarse-grained agglomerates, and monocrystalline inclusions of irregular shape.
The coloring is usually uneven, the surface is patterned. Silky shimmers are sometimes observed due to albite inclusions.
Place of Birth
This stone is mined in special quarries. Deposits have been discovered in all parts of the world (except Antarctica):
- Europe - Italy, Finland, Norway, Ukraine.
- Asia - India, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
- America - Brazil, Peru, Canada, USA.
- Africa - Egypt, Madagascar, South Africa.
- Australia.
In Russia, amazonite is mined in the Urals, the Kola Peninsula, the Baikal region, and the Eastern Sayan Mountains.
The most beautiful are turquoise stones from Africa, India, and America.
Varieties and colors
The main color scheme of Amazonite is blue-green. There are specimens with an admixture of yellowness, emerald tint, darkish, grayish, white. Agglomerates with a brownish tint are rarely found.
Sometimes white or pinkish inclusions of albite are visible on the surface, forming interesting patterns in the form of a mesh.
Minerologists have identified 2 types of amazonite:
- Large perthite. It has a distinct pattern of white dots and lines, contrasting with a greenish-blue background. Sees through in thin chips. Sometimes pearlescent reflections are visible.
- Fine perthite. The patterns are less clear, sometimes there are light pearlescent shimmers.
Application
According to the classification of E. Ya. Kievlenko, amazonite belongs to jewelry and semi-precious stones of the second order. It is used in decorative and applied arts, in jewelry, and is also of interest to collectors.
Arts and crafts
After the discovery of amazonite in the Urals in the Ilmen Mountains at the end of the 18th century in Russia, it began to be used as a decorative material:
- In palaces and houses of noble people, fireplaces and panels were lined with this stone.
- Masters of the lapidary factory in Peterhof turned large vases and tabletops. They are made using the “Russian mosaic” method (mineral pieces are skillfully arranged into patterns or pictures).
- The best works of decorative and applied art made from amazonite are exhibited in the Hermitage and other museums in Russia.
- The range of small items is very diverse: photo frames, boxes, dishes, candelabra, tableware.
Jewelry
Amazonite is used to make necklaces, beads, inserts for rings, rings, brooches, cufflinks, and pendants.
The frame is made from silver, cupronickel, jewelry alloys, and valuable wood species (for example, teak).
Often the stone is processed in the form of a cabochon - then it has better iridescence (shimmer on the surface of different shades). To achieve such a lighting effect, you need high jewelry craftsmanship.
Collecting
Correctly or intricately formed amazonite crystals, their intergrowths, druses - all this is an expensive collection material. The goal of mineral collectors may be to select samples of this stone from deposits of different continents and maximize coverage of its shades.
What is it suitable for?
For the soul and joy of the heart. Amazonite is an ornamental stone.
The stone is used in the manufacture of:
- Jewelry (beads, brooches, earrings, pendants).
- Amulets, carvings.
- Mosaics, vases, boxes.
Expert opinion
Semenishcheva Polina
Specialist in mineralogy. Graduated from St. Petersburg Mining University.
For your information: the state of Colorado (USA) is rich in the best collectible druses and crystals fused with quartz.
Medicinal properties
Using Amazonite as a healing stone, you should not refuse medications and procedures prescribed by your doctor.
According to lithotherapists, the healing properties of amazonite are useful in many cases:
- Mood swings, depression, insomnia disappear .
- Healing occurs faster after surgery, injuries, and fractures .
- The condition of the veins improves (massage with a stone helps).
- For rheumatism, arthritis, osteochondrosis, massage with pieces of stone or wearing beads helps.
- For diseases of the throat and endocrine system, it is useful to wear amazonite jewelry.
- of the genitourinary system are cured faster .
Amazonite is sensitive to the human biofield. If the stone has darkened, this means that the owner’s health has deteriorated and he needs to be checked by a doctor.
Raw Amazonite near a computer, mobile phone, etc. is believed to protect people from electromagnetic radiation.
The mineral helps a person not only improve their health, but also solve aesthetic problems:
- under its influence, aging is inhibited;
- excess weight disappears (due to improved metabolism and increased production of enzymes that break down fats);
- teeth, hair, nails are strengthened;
- skin rash and pigmentation disappear.
Massage with amazonite balls or plates heals not only the skin, but also the body as a whole. If you don't have time for a massage, wearing a bracelet or beads will help.
The effect of treatment with amazonite will be more noticeable, the darker the stone, since its healing and magical properties are stronger than those of lighter specimens.
Questions/Answers
Amazonite has many mysteries, let's figure them out together
