Description
Amazonite, Russian, Faceted, Natural, Drop Pendant
One Pendant with Metal Alloy Bail, 36x20mm
Amazonite is a striking green to blue-green variety of microcline, which belongs to the feldspar mineral group. While it is named after the Amazon River, amazonite is not actually found there. It's likely that early travelers confused it with another green gemstone from the region, or named it simply to evoke the lush, tropical greens of the rainforest.
Amazonite's color comes from trace amounts of lead and water trapped inside the feldspar crystals. But there is a catch: the lead alone doesn't turn it green. The stone actually requires natural gamma radiation from surrounding rocks over millions of years to alter the lead ions and trigger that beautiful teal hue. If you heat amazonite up too high, it will actually lose its color because the heat reverses this radiation effect!
Russian Amazonite is a distinct and highly sought-after variety and is particularly prized for its intense coloration and historical significance. It is often distinguished from its Brazilian or North American counterparts by several physical traits including a deeper, more saturated teal or green hue. While many amazonite stones are pastel blue-green, Russian specimens lean toward a vivid, darker "robin's egg." It is famous for prominent white or gray striations (streaks). These are caused by "exsolution lamellae," where two different types of feldspar separate as the mineral cools, creating a shimmering, spider-web effect known as the Schiller effect.
While the specific "Russian" designation is modern, amazonite beads have been found in the jewelry of Ancient Egypt (including King Tutankhamun's tomb) and Mesopotamia, dating back over 2,000 years.
Hardness 6-6.5
Made in China
