Amazonite

Amazonite History

Amazonite mineral rock was treasured by the ancient Egyptians who made beautiful jewelry, ornamental pieces and carved important texts into this stone. Amazonite has always been prized for its beauty and healing power. This pale green mineral rock is believed to date back as far as the 10th century BC. Amazonite is also known as the "Amazon stone," because it was thought to have been discovered at the Amazon River Basin in Brazil. However, there are actually no deposits found there and instead amazonite is present in other parts of Brazil, Colorado and Virginia in the United States, Australia and Madagascar.

There are stories of the warrior women of the ancient Amazon tribe in Brazil using amazonite stones to adorn their shields, cure sickness and heal wounds. A Brazilian legend boasts of the Amazon people giving ''green stones'' to the visitors of the region. Europeans were already familiar with green microcline (my-krO-kline) from Russia and assumed the blue-green rock given to them by the Indians of South America was the same stone. As it turns out, the legend was most likely referring to Nephrite (jade).

Conquistadors adorned themselves in amazonite and ancient Egyptians carved Chapter Seven, The Judgement of Osiris, of the Book of the Dead onto slabs of amazonite rock. A scarab ring and a number of other objects carved from green amazonite were found with the treasures of Tutankhamen.

Amazonite stone is also referred to as "Colorado jade" or "Pikes Peak jade" because of its resemblance to jade. Amazonite is usually pale green, but can sometimes be blue-green, turquoise or yellow-green and can also have white streaks.

Amazonite Metaphysical Properties

Amazonite is believed to have many metaphysical powers. Amazonite stones are also thought to have tremendous healing abilities. Similar to jade, amazonite is associated with money, luck and overall success. It's known as the "gambler's stone," encouraging good luck and fortune.

Amazonite is said to have a soothing effect on the nervous system. Since the nervous system controls our emotions a great deal, this stone is said to soothe tense and aggravated situations and to enhance love. Since this stone is associated with the throat and heart, it is best when worn as a necklace near these areas. Amazonite is said to bestow truth, honor and integrity to its wearer.

Amazonite is used to treat fatigue, trauma or anything else that may take energy away from a person. Amazonite is said to help problems with the thyroid glands and also aids in treating alcoholism. It has a gentle healing quality that is useful to nearly everyone in a general manner.

Amazonite Geological Properties

Amazonite, also known as "Amazon stone," is a semi opaque blue-green variety of microcline feldspar. Amazonite is a mineral of limited occurrence and is present in parts of Brazil, Colorado and Virginia in the United States, Australia and Madagascar.

Amazonite is a mostly opaque stone textured with pale milky-white cloudiness or streaking ranging from light green to greenish blue to deep green/blue. Amazonite's soft and attractive color closely resembles nephrite and jadeite. Amazonite's appearance is very distinctive with its grid-like, mottled, green and white pattern. The color of amazonite is due to the presence of lead within the stone and color variation may exist within a single stone.

Amazonite can form the largest known crystals of any mineral and has been known to be confused with turquoise and jade.

Proper Care of Amazonite

Amazonite is sensitive to chemicals, abrasives, heat, acids and ammonia. Never use a steamer, hot water or ultrasonic cleaners with this gemstone. Use mild soap and room temperature tap water with a soft cloth to retain the luster of the gemstone.