Colorado Amazonite Options

[CP]

Here are some pictures of Colorado Amazonite which we discuss and work in often.

Small thumbnail size specimens


Large cabinet piece


The blue coloration of amazonite is due to a very small amount of lead while formation occured.
Cabochons from amazonite sometimes have this elegant "sheen" or chatoyancy like this one Mrs.CP did.

[CP]

Thanks Denise and Chris.
Microcline is a triclinic crystal system and yes, I think there is an orientation to cut the Amazonite and get that pearly sheen to play off the finished piece. I'm no expert but I've seen it along two planes, one with the clevage and another 90 degrees off that axis. The one with the clevage plays best in the light though. That is as long as the stone cooperates without breaking.
It took me several tries to figure out the sheen play when first cutting Amazonite, with some (alot of ) trial and error over the years but I think I've gotten a bit better on these recent 7 cut stones. Each of them has a full roll of the pearly sheen across the face. One free form diamond shape I carried the outer diamond shape clear up the dome to the crown, turned out very different with the sheen play star bursting so to speak as the stone is turned in hand.

Trying to catch that sheen in pictures though.....now that's another task!

More pics to be updated soon.