Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Amazonite

Amazonite

 
 
Amazonite, also known as 'Amazone stone,' is a light, aqua-green stone with white mottled flecks. The name, Amazonite, has been taken from the Amazon River, where formerly certain green stones were obtained, but it is found in Brazil. The origin of the stone is the New England States and Colorado. The composition is basically of potassium feldspar, and it is a green variety of microline.

Amazonite is a mineral, but because of its lively green color, it is cut and polished as a gemstone. The green color of the stone has been attributed to the presence of copper. It can also be due to some organic pigment, probably an organic salt of iron, as it is removed by heat from the source.

Modern amazonite has a limited occurrence. Previously it was obtained exclusively in organic rocks from Miyask in the Ilmen mountains, 50 miles south-west of Chehabinsk (Russia). Recently high quality crystals were obtained from Pike's Peak, Colorado. It was found associated with the quartz, orthoclase, and albite. Few other locations in the US yield amazonite. It is also found in pegmatite in Madagascar.

Amazonite is believed to be a sacred stone of high value. It was extensively used by the ancient Egyptians. It gives a cooling and soothing effect to the mental state. It is used for healing and spiritual growth. It is applied to align the heart and solar plexus chakras and also the etheric and mental bodies. The body energy currents are strengthened by the use of amazonite.
 
Magickal Properties: Success, Joy, Self Expression, Awakens Heart & Throat Chakra

Techinical Specification

Name
Moh's
Specific Gravity
Structure
Cleavage
Refractive Index
Double
Disp.
Pleochro
Fluorescence
Amazonite6+2.56-2.58TriclinicPerfect 1.522-1.530 -0.008 0.012None Weak



Alexandrite

Alexandrite
 
 
This is a variety of chrysoberyl, like cat's eye, distinguished by a play. of colours which has earned it the name of "chameleon stone". Its natural colour ranges from dark to pale green, but in the light may appear anything from red to yellow, to orange, to mauve even, depending on how the rays strike it.

It is a very attractive stone, but rare and therefore very costly, and only the top quality is worth buying. It is, however, an excellent investment because it is much prized by jewelers and collectors.

Pure alexandrite is always faceted, or cut en cabochon if flaws are present (in this case be careful not to confuse it with other "chameleon" chrysoberyls or labradorite). Its value is on a par with the four precious stones and when well set is a match for even the finest diamond. The best specimens come from Russia, but it is also found in Ceylon, Burma, Brazil, Madagascar and the USA.    
 
Magickal Properties: Luck, Love, Spiritual transformation, Joy

Techinical Specification

Name
Moh's
Specific Gravity
Structure
Cleavage
Refractive Index
Double
Disp.
Pleochro
Fluorescence
Alexandrite 8.5 3.70-3.73 Orthorhombic Imperfect 1.744-1.755 0.011 0.015 v Weak None

 


Agate

Agate


This is a semi-pellucid variety of quartz. The colours are arraigned in strips or bands or blended in clouds and classified accordingly as moss, ribbon, dendrite, etc. The stone, widely distributed but not very popular, is generally brown. When used for ornamental purposes it has usually been dyed artificially as the porous nature of this mineral allows it to absorb material from solution. Brownish- orange agate is known as cornelian, the green variety chrysoprase, the blue variety chalcedony and the brownish-red variety carnelian. Black agate is onyx.

Magickal Properties: Courage, Strength, Love, Protection

Techinical Specification

Name
Moh's
Specific Gravity
Structure
Cleavage
Refractive Index
Double
Disp.
Pleochro
Fluorescence
Agate (Quartz) 6.5+ 2.60-2.65 Hexagonal None 1.54-1.55 up to 0.006 0.013 None Variable