amazonite

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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 is an attractive green gem that that was once mined almost exclusively in Russia.
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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.