If you are interested in new gemstones, consider the stunning Amazonite gemstone with its rich blue and green hues. Amazonite gemstones get their name from the Amazon River, colloquially called the Amazon Stone. However, the gems do not originate near the Amazon River. The rumor that started the name Amazon Stone came from the 19th century when it was believed that this crystal only existed near the Amazon River. However, no Amazonite gemstones have ever been found near or in the Amazon River.

At one point in its history, Amazonite was given the name “Amazon Jade” to try and associate the gemstone with Jade gemstones and increase its value. Amazonite has been known as a stone to produce truth and courage throughout history. It was vital to the ancient Egyptians who wore it in handcrafted ornamental pieces. Sometimes ancient Egyptians carved messages into stone slabs from Amazonite.

 

1. What makes up Amazonite Gemstone?

Amazonite is technically a silicate. It occurs in a wide range of blue, green, and greenish-blue colors. The colors sometimes take on pastel or pale hue, and other times have vivid saturation. Most Amazonite is not a solid gemstone of color but rather interrupted with streaks of white quartz throughout the green or blue.

Amazonite gemstones are usually translucent or opaque with a pearly luster. It is rare to find Amazonite used in Mass Market jewelry because of its rarity. Instead, if you invest in Amazonite gemstones, you are probably wearing a unique piece of jewelry designed by a company specializing in unusual gemstones.

2. Where is Amazonite Gemstone found? 

Amazonite gemstones were initially found in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Today they are still heavily mined in areas like Turkey, Kuwait, Syria, and Iraq. There are other deposits around the world, such as Russia. For decades Amazonite has been mined from Chelyabinsk. Along the Pikes Peak area in Colorado is another famous site for Amazonite. You can also find Amazonite in Brazil, although not near the Amazon River and small deposits in Madagascar. 

3. When was Amazonite first discovered? 

There is a great deal of conflicting information about when Amazonite was first discovered. Archaeologists have, for example, found archaeological evidence of gemstones in amulets and jewelry from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. So technically, Amazonite was first discovered by ancient civilizations over two thousand years ago. In 1847, a similar piece of Amazonite was allegedly found in South America. Still, it was not until 1929 that it was discovered on a large scale at the Morefield mine in Virginia.

4. What are the healing benefits of Amazonite? 

Amazonite reacts to physical and nonphysical elements, bringing many purported healing properties. Amazonite can allegedly help you improve physical ailments, especially if those ailments are manifestations of emotional trauma that has been unprocessed. It is said that when we face emotional trauma, our body carries physical scars and manifests that emotional trauma in the form of physical problems. Wearing Amazonite jewelry might help resolve these emotional issues.

Similarly, Amazonite accelerates the healing of muscle tissue and improves your nervous system. Together this can help you heal from physical injuries or ailments. Having an Amazonite stone near your body at all times is said to provide energetic healing as well as preventative health. So, wearing an Amazonite bracelet or necklace can purportedly help you recover faster from any illness or ailment while simultaneously preventing future disease or disorder.

Many people find that Amazonite is uniquely positioned to offer metaphysical healing properties beyond most gemstones. Amazonite gemstones are often associated with the heart and throat chakras because of the blue and green nature of the stone. Other gemstones can only focus on healing the throat chakra but can’t do anything to tackle the tangential blockage in the heart chakra and vice versa. But Amazonite can clear a blockage in both, keeping you cleansed and recharged.

Metaphysically speaking, Amazonite is also associated with bringing luck and fortune. Some people call it the Gambler Stone. If you are someone regularly holding on to stress in your life, wearing a piece of jewelry featuring an amazonite gemstone can filter out that stress and offer soothing energy in your workplace and home. Truthfulness is another metaphysical property associated with Amazonite, mainly because of its association with the throat chakra. Stimulating and clearing blockages in the throat chakra aid the path of communication with those around you and allegedly improve your communication, even if it is in something as simple as a business presentation.

5. Why are there so many different variations of Amazonite? 

There are many different variations of Amazonite simply because the stones naturally possess different hues, white lines across the blueish green, and different cuts. 

For example, the flower Amazonite is any type of Amazonite that has a gentle mix of other colors like lime green, orange, even black. The name is attributed to the different colors in a single gemstone and is commonly used for beaded bracelets. Amazonite Palm Stone can be cut into different shapes, used during meditation or prayer, not typically used with jewelry. There are some pieces of Amazonite that, because of the inclusion of other minerals, take on a bright pink hue in the middle. These are often cut and have a flat, smooth pebble appearance, small enough that you can hold them in your hand.

6. Is Amazonite Expensive?

Amazonite isn’t a costly gemstone compared to gemstones like Jade. However, it can still cost quite a bit, depending on your purchase. If you buy raw Amazonite crystal stones specifically for healing purposes, you can expect to spend under $50 for small, rough, natural stones. If you want processed gemstones fitted for jewelry, these can cost much more. Finished pieces of jewelry that heavily feature Amazonite gemstones in the necklace, amulets, ring, or bracelet will range in cost depending on how many Amazonite gemstones are in the piece of jewelry, their size, and their color.

 

7. Is Amazonite a high-end Gemstone? Why, or why not? 

Amazonite is not considered a high-end gemstone. Jade is considered much more popular and a high-end gemstone because of its green color. 

However, even though it is not necessarily a high-end gemstone, it can still be an excellent investment if you buy a piece of jewelry with Amazonite or purchase a flat stone for its healing properties. It is a very durable stone, but it can still get scratched now and again. The very distinct cleavage of Amazonite is most susceptible to fracturing, so it is crucial that you remove any Amazonite jewelry before you play sports, garden, or go swimming. 

You also want to keep the stone away from cosmetics, perfumes, hair sprays, or other chemicals. You should keep your Amazonite stored in a dust-free bag, away from direct sunlight or heat. Too much time in direct sun can change the luster and color. It is always good to wash it with mild liquid soap and warm water if your jewelry gets dirty.

8. What is the most expensive type of Amazonite? 

The most expensive type is Amazonite which has a vivid blue-green color and no white marbling. The more white streaks and marbling, the less expensive it is. So, blue Peruvian Amazonite is some of the more costly gemstones. The lighter the green color, the less expensive it is. Faceted Amazonite is not as expensive as a cabochon cut because faceted cuts leave the gemstone more susceptible to chipping. The cabochon cut prevents breakage in the cleavage.

 

9. What astrology sign is Amazonite Gemstone Associated with?

 

Amazonite is associated with the Zodiac astrological sign of the Virgo. It is the birthstone for people born between the end of August and September. It is reported that Amazonite gemstones can be beneficial for those born with the zodiac sign of Leo, Aries, or Scorpio. 

 

10. How can you spot a fake Amazonite Gemstone?

 

Many stones have the same blue or green colors as aquamarine and Larimar. Being able to identify a fake Amazonite gemstone is essential. Real Amazonite is usually very bright. It often looks as though it has an excellent polish added to the gemstone even though it does not. If the stone you are looking at does not have any luster, it probably isn’t real. Rocks that have been painted or polished still don’t have the same shine as authentic Amazonite. 

You can also try carving into the underside or less prominent part of the stone if you can. Amazonite is not very hard, so even a minor prick from a sharp object will probably give way, whereas fake Amazonite might be harder.