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Amazonite

Amazonite is green, blue-green gem variety of Microcline. It was named after Amazon River, from which certain green stones were formerly obtained, however it is doubtful whether Amazonite occurs in the Amazon area.
General Information
A variety or type of:Microcline, which is a variety of Feldspar
Other Names/Trade Names:
Chemical Formula
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Amazonite Treatments
Amazonite – colour is lost on heating to over 300°C and can be restored by irradiation if heating was insufficient (500°C) to cause water loss.

Often dyed (uniform color), impregnated with wax or coated with plastic (scratch test, hot point test) - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 8
Physical Properties of Amazonite
Mohs Hardness6 to 6.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Specific Gravity2.55 to 2.57
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Refractive Index1.522 to 1.530
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Optical CharacterBiaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Birefringence0.008 to 0.010
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
PleochroismWeak
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Dispersion
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