amazonite

Zircon
Photo courtesy of Adrienne Goff
Variety:  Amazonite
Species:  Microcline
Group:  Feldspar
​​Mohs Hardness:  6 to 6.5 out of 10
Color:  Light green to greenish blue, mottled with white and green, grid-like patterns
RI:  1.522 to 1.530 (+/- 0.004) (1.53 spot reading common)
Birefringence:  0.008 (usually not detectable)
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Optic Character:  Biaxial negative
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Inert to weak yellowish-green under LW, inert to SW
SG:  2.56

amazonite facts


Amazonite was once mined almost exclusively in Russia.

In 1876, the most important global deposits of amazonite were discovered in Colorado.

Amazonite is also now found in other parts of the United States, as well as Madagascar.