• Amazonite, Green-White, Feldspar  •
(Russia)

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• Amazonite, Green-White, Feldspar  •
(Russia)

Amazonite - Amazon stone - Feldspars

Amazonite is a member of the feldspar family, a large group of nearly 20 members recognized, but only nine are well known and common. Those few make up the greatest percentage of minerals found in the Earth's crust. The nine common members of the feldspar group are: Albite, Oligoclase, Andesine, Labradorite, Anorthite, Microcline, Sanidine, and Orthoclase. All of these are composed of aluminum silicate. (Rock forming tectosilicate minerals.)

Amazonite (sometimes called "Amazon stone") is a green variety of microcline feldspar. It's interesting to note that the Plagioclase variety of feldspar was collected from the lunar surface near the Descartes Crater by Apollo 16. This sample is currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, USA.

Feldspars are formed in both metamorphic and sedimentary environments. Amazonite is used as a semiprecious gemstone such as cabochons, beads, and stone carvings. It is also used in the ceramic industries, pottery and enamelware, soaps, abrasives, bond for abrasive wheels, cements and concretes, insulating compositions, fertilizer, poultry grit, tarred roofing materials, and as a sizing or filler in textiles and paper.

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