Amazonite varies in color from yellow-green to blue-green and may also exhibit fine white streaks. Amazonite is a gemstone variety of green microcline, a feldspar mineral. It is usually opaque and therefore is cut en cabochon (with a rounded and convex polished surface). Articles made of amazonite were found in Ancient Egypt.
Although its name is derived from the Amazon River, no deposits have been found there. Amazonite has been mined in Minas Gerais (Brazil), Colorado (U.S.), Ontario and Quebec (Canada), Baveno (Italy) and the Ural Mountains of Russia. The Pikes Peak district of Colorado, U.S., became the most important source of amazonite after 1876.
