Gem Notes: Gemstone Information
Ametrine Meaning and Properties
Ametrine is a combination of amethyst and citrine, which are both a variety of quartz. Amethyst is clear quartz with the presence of manganese, making it purple. Citrine is clear quartz with the presence of iron, making it golden yellow. Quartzes (such as amethyst, citrine, ametrine and others) have been around for years and make up approximately 12% of the Earth's crust.
Ametrine was not readily available on the market until the 1970s when it was discovered--or re-discovered--in Bolivia. The legends say a Spanish conquistador discovered the ametrine mine in the 1600s when he received the land after marrying a native princess named Anahi. He sent several specimens to Queen Isabella of Spain ... and then the mine was lost for centuries. When it was rediscovered, it was named after the legendary princess, whose land it once was.
The Anahi mine produces natural amethyst, citrine and ametrine.
Ametrine is said to be the complete balance of the properties of amethyst and citrine.
As a stone of both balance and connection, ametrine is believed to relieve tension, bring serenity and stimulate creativity, as well as balance mental stability and self-confidence. Ametrine is considered a double boost to remove toxins from the body, as both amethyst and citrine are detoxifiers.
Ametrine is a macrocrystalline variety of quartz that occurs rarely in nature.
For ametrine to occur naturally, iron impurities--combined with differing oxidation states--are subjected to varied temperatures. For ametrine to be formed in nature, temperatures need to be slightly higher on some of the surfaces, slightly cooler on others and the delicate balance of the two temperatures would need to be maintained during the crystallization of the quartz.
Simulated ametrine is created when amethyst is subjected to the same type of conditions in the lab, turning purple areas various shades of yellow. Most ametrine in the market today is heat-treated amethyst.
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Mineral Information
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Macrocrystalline quartz
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Chemical Composition
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SiO2
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Color
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Golden sunlight yellow blended with lavender/purple
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Hardness
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7 (Mohs)
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Specific Gravity
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2.6 - 2.7
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Refractive Index
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1.544 - 1.553
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This stone is fairly hard so you can use an ultrasonic cleaner with it. As most ametrine is created using heat treatments, steam cleaning is not recommended. Store ametrine in a cool, dark place as this stone may lose color in the sunlight due to both heat and light.
To learn more about ametrine and other gemstones, order your copy of Walter Schumann's revised and expanded edition of Gemstones of the World.
Ametrine comes in a variety of shades from pale lavender to a deep purple to yellow-purple to yellow-orange. Paralleling its colors, ametrine is stunning combined with rainbow fluorite, citrine pearls or lavender amethyst. Depending on its color saturation, it can be mixed with muted hues such as blue lace agate and rose quartz, or with deep jewel tones such as iolite and spinel. Being a mix of warm and cool tones, ametrine works well with both gold and silver.
View design inspirations featuring ametrine in the Gallery of Designs
**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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