This Specimen has been sold.
Gorgeous, 6.2" Tall, Polished Amazonite Bookends - Madagascar
This is an absolutely gorgeous pair of bookends made from a large mass of amazonite, collected from Madagascar. One side has been cut flat and polished to a glossy finish, while the opposite side has been left rough. The dark brown-black crystals that are mixed in with the amazonite are smoky quartz. The middle of the bookends have been lined with felt and the bottoms have round rubber "feet" to prevent scratching of the display surface.
Each bookend varies slightly in size, with one measuring 6.2" tall, 4.2" wide and 4.3" thick while the other is 6.2" tall, 4.2" wide and 4" thick. Together these bookends weigh just under 12 lbs.
Each bookend varies slightly in size, with one measuring 6.2" tall, 4.2" wide and 4.3" thick while the other is 6.2" tall, 4.2" wide and 4" thick. Together these bookends weigh just under 12 lbs.
Amazonite is a green variety of microcline feldspar that is the state mineral of Colorado. It has recently received a lot of attention for its prominence on the reality show, “Prospectors” which follows several groups of Colorado mineral miners. In fact, most of our amazonite is sourced from some of the prospectors on the show. High quality amazonite crystals are found at several locations in Colorado, often in vugs associated with smoky quartz.
The name comes from the Amazon River, where it was thought Amazonite was originally found, though it’s now thought doubtful that it occurs in the region. For years it was thought that the green color was due to copper content, but we now know that it’s due to very small quantities of lead present in the mineral.
The name comes from the Amazon River, where it was thought Amazonite was originally found, though it’s now thought doubtful that it occurs in the region. For years it was thought that the green color was due to copper content, but we now know that it’s due to very small quantities of lead present in the mineral.
Smoky quartz is a grey-brown to black variety of quartz. This common name is derived from the appearance of smoke within the quartz crystal. Dependent on the location and the chemicals present during formation, smoky quartz can appear opaque black, however it’s typically translucent to some extent. It’s believed that the quartz gains this color from a combination of natural irradiation and aluminum impurities.
SPECIES
Microcline var. Amazonite & Quartz var. Smoky
LOCATION
Madagascar
SIZE
6.2 x 4.2", up to 4" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#129878