Amazonite (Microcline)
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kulmalukko" title="User:Kulmalukko">Tiia Monto</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameAmazonite (Microcline)
Chemical FormulaKAlSi3O8
Mohs Hardness6
Crystal Systemtriclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect in two directions, good in one direction
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity2.56
Colorsblue-green, green, yellowish-green
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityMinas Gerais, Brazil
Mineral Groupsilicates
Usesjewelry, ornamental stone, collector
Associated Mineralsquartz, albite, smoky quartz, topaz, tourmaline
Rarityuncommon
Description
A large, blocky specimen of amazonite, exhibiting a distinctive light blue-green color and a somewhat blocky, fractured appearance, displayed prominently in the museum exhibit.
Geological Context
Amazonite typically forms in granitic pegmatites, often associated with other pegmatitic minerals, and can also be found in some metamorphic rocks.
