The name of this mineral derives from Amazonia, where native peoples used green stones as amulets. It turned out that those stones were, in fact, green jadeites, but the name stuck to the green to bluish green opaque gemstone variety of microcline.[1]
Amazonite is commonly mistaken with chrysoprase, serpentine or green jadeite.
Alexandrite
Basic properties
Composition
KAlSi3O8
Class
Silicates (tectosilicates)
Crystal system
Triclinic
Mohs' hardness
6
Fracture
Hackly
Cleavage
Perfect
Lustre
Glassy-pearly
Streak
White
Localities
Russia, USA, Madagascar, India, Vietnam, Brazil, Kenya
References
↑ Minerały i kamienie szlachetne by RBA Collecionables, S.A., ISBN978-83-7813-150-2, 2012.