Amazonite Meaning and Properties
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.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Amazonite?
Amazonite is believed to have many metaphysical powers. Amazonite properties are also thought to include 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.
What Chakra is Amazonite?
Chakras are believed to be energy centers that correspond to different physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human being. Each chakra is thought to influence certain organs, mental states and life experiences. Chakra bracelets offer a simple and stylish way to keep healing gemstones close to your body, enhancing their energetic benefits throughout the day. Amazonite is associated with the heart chakra. An amazonite chakra bracelet can help encourage emotional healing, open communication and the confidence to speak truth with compassion.
Heart Chakra (Anahata) - Green
- Location: chest (breastbone)
- Represents: the union of male and female principles; ability to love
- Emotional issues: compassion; trust; forgiveness; compassion; complex emotions; tenderness; equilibrium; love
- Spiritual issues: devotion
- Physical issues: immune system; cardio-vascular system; lungs
- Gemstones: amazonite, aventurine, jade, malachite, peridot, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, rose quartz
Looking for more information about chakras? Check out “Chakras and their Gemstones.”
What is Amazonite Made From?
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 properties are very distinctive. It has a 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 sometimes been confused with turquoise and jade.
- Mineral Information: Tektosilicate, microcline (feldspar group)
- Chemical Composition: KAlSi3O8
- Color: Pastel blue-green, Deep green/blue (Russian)
- Hardness: 6 to 6-1/2 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.5 – 2.6
- Refractive Index: 1.522 – 1.530
How Do You Clean 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.
Amazonite FAQ
Q: Is amazonite a birthstone?
A: Amazonite is not a traditional birthstone , however the bluer shades of this gorgeous gemstone can serve as a substitute for the December birthstone, turquoise.
Q: What is the difference between Grade B and Grade D Amazonite?
A: Gemstones are graded from A—best quality—to D—most basic. A gemstone with an A grade will have rich, saturated, evenly distributed color, few inclusions and no cracks or chips. A D-grade gemstone will have either paler or darker coloring than expected, frequent inclusions, poor luster, an uneven cut and cracks or chips. B-grade gemstones will have good color tone, a few small inclusions, slight surface variations and minimal cracks and chips.
Q: Can Amazonite lose its vivid color?
A: Amazonite can, in fact, lose its vivid color when heated. Exposure to the sun can also fade some varieties of amazonite, but a few types actually attain a more intense hue with exposure to sunlight. You should also avoid harsh chemicals that could cause amazonite to fade.
Q: Is it safe to wear Amazonite in water?
A: Occasional exposure to water is fine for amazonite, but avoid extended soaking, as not only can amazonite leach minerals, soaking can also damage the stone. If you get your amazonite jewelry piece wet, make sure to rinse and dry it soon afterward.
Q: What metal goes with Amazonite in jewelry designs?
A: Silver is a beautiful complement for the cool blue tones of amazonite, but gold-toned metals can also be beautiful.
Q: Amazonite looks like a summer stone. Can you wear it in the fall and winter too?
A: You can absolutely wear amazonite year-round! It’s easily apparent that amazonite is a summer staple—its ocean-like hue fits perfectly with the warm-weather vibe. But it shines in the colder months too—its cool, calming blue-green tones make a stunning contrast against rich autumn and winter colors like burgundy, forest green and warm browns—or pair it with clear quartz , white pearls and pale aqua blues for an icy palette.
Designing with Amazonite
Amazonite is usually cut into cabochons for necklaces and pendants, or used to carve figurines or other ornamental items, making it ideal for pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, tie tacks, cufflinks or brooches. Amazonite jewelry is beautiful with all the precious metals, but the lovely blue-green color of amazonite looks especially wonderful in silver. It also works well with leather, ribbon or chain for visually interesting designs.
If you want to go wild with creativity, mix assorted coral bead strands with this stone. For a subtler, more classic look, combine this with faceted moukaite jasper . The sparkle from the faceted moukaite jasper and the softer amazonite allows you to wear this piece with just about everything. If you want a very soft look, the combination of amazonite with moonstone is splendid. The moonstone accentuates the white texture in the amazonite. This combination in a simply strung necklace can be worn with a white tank top on a casual day, or with any business outfit. Make a bracelet and simple earrings to match for a classy casual look.
A Few Design Inspirations to Get You Started
Shop for Amazonite
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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