Amazonite Gemstone Jewelry
Key takeaway: Amazonite is a green to blue-green variety of microcline feldspar, often with fine white streaks. It is usually cut as a smooth, domed cabochon because it is opaque to translucent. It rates 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. That makes it better for earrings and pendants than everyday rings. Its color comes from lead and water, not copper. Our amazonite earrings cost $40 to $275.
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is for anyone who loves soft green and turquoise-like colors. It also helps buyers comparing amazonite varieties and cuts. Use it when you are choosing amazonite earrings, a pendant or a gift.
What Is Amazonite?
Amazonite is a colorful gemstone found in green, blue-green and yellow-green shades. It is a green variety of microcline feldspar. It comes in many shapes, sizes and hues. Its name comes from the Amazon River in Brazil. Green stones were once said to come from there. The name may also recall the green of the rainforest.
Its bright green color makes amazonite popular in jewelry. It is usually cut en cabochon, with a smooth, rounded, polished top.
What Gives Amazonite Its Color?
For many years, the source of amazonite's color was a mystery. Many people thought it came from copper, because copper compounds are often green or blue. Later studies showed the blue-green color comes from small amounts of lead and water in the feldspar.
What Colors and Varieties of Amazonite Are There?
Amazonite is most often green, blue-green or yellow-green. Many stones show fine white streaks. The exact color depends on where it was mined.
| Variety | Color | Pattern | Main sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic amazonite | Pale blue-green | Often fine white streaks | Brazil, Madagascar |
| Sky blue amazonite | Richer sky blue | Few streaks | Various sources |
| Russian amazonite | Deep blue-green | Strong white streaks | Russia |
| Colorado amazonite | Bright blue-green | Often with smoky quartz | Pikes Peak, Colorado, USA |
How Is Amazonite Cut?
Amazonite is opaque to translucent and rarely transparent. That is why it is usually cut as a cabochon. A cabochon has a smooth, domed top and is polished but not faceted. Its base is flat or gently domed. A cabochon can take almost any shape, though oval is the most common.
Amazonite can be set in silver, gold or other metals. It works in bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants and brooches. It has been used as an ornament for centuries because of its lovely color.
What Does Amazonite Symbolize?
Amazonite gemstone jewelry is a popular gift. Folklore says it balances masculine and feminine energy. It is also linked with kindness, calm emotions, stamina and the throat chakra. These are folklore and traditional beliefs, not proven effects.
What Do the Facts Say About Amazonite?
Each figure below comes from a recognized gemological source.
- Amazonite rates 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) lists it as a feldspar gem.
- It has perfect cleavage, so a hard knock can split it, according to GIA.
- Quartz rates 7, according to GIA. That makes amazonite a little softer than amethyst or citrine.
- Amazonite is found worldwide, including the United States, Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Namibia and Australia, according to Wikipedia.
What Did We Find When We Checked Our Amazonite Collection?
I checked all 3 pieces in our amazonite jewelry collection on 9 October 2026. Here is what we measured:
- Type: all 3 pieces are earrings.
- Price: $40 in copper, $135 in hammered fine silver and $275 in 14K gold-filled.
- Length: sizes run 2 inches, 2 3/4 inches and 4 inches.
- Earlier designs: the copper teardrop and chased copper earrings shown here have sold.
Case Study: Why I Offer Amazonite in Three Metals
In my experience, the metal changes how amazonite looks more than any other choice. Copper warms it toward green. Fine silver keeps it cool and close to sky blue. Gold-filled metal makes it look bright and summery. So I offer one design in each metal, at $40, $135 and $275. Customers can match the stone to their skin tone and budget. Because amazonite can split if knocked, I keep it in earrings rather than rings.
How Should You Care for Amazonite?
- Avoid hard knocks – its cleavage means a sharp blow can crack it.
- Clean it gently – use warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
- Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners – they can damage feldspar.
- Store it apart – quartz and harder gems can scratch it.
Click Here to View More Handmade Jewelry set with Gemstones
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is amazonite?
Amazonite is a green to blue-green variety of microcline feldspar, often with fine white streaks.
Q2. Why is amazonite cut as a cabochon?
It is opaque to translucent, so a smooth, domed cabochon shows its color better than facets.
Q3. How hard is amazonite?
It rates 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. It suits earrings and pendants better than everyday rings.
Q4. Does amazonite contain copper?
No. Its blue-green color comes from small amounts of lead and water, not copper.
