Description
Amazonite, Russian, Natural, Smooth Round
This price is for one strand 15 to 16 inches long
8mm strands have 43 to 48 pieces
10mm strands have 33 to 38 pieces
Amazonite is a green to blue-green mineral, a variety of the potassium feldspar. Its name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which green stones were formerly obtained, though it is unknown whether those stones were amazonite.
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
This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing in China
