AMETRINE…….an elite gemstone with one major source in the world

Ametrine is a mix of two distinct minerals, the first being Amethyst and the second being Citrine. Ametrine is sometimes referred to Trystine and has a commercial name called Bolivianite.  A truly gorgeous gemstone, Ametrine, usually has several colors present which can include a deep dark violet or purple, orange and yellow.  Each Ametrine has its combination of colors in a different pattern.  

Ametrine is among an elite group of gemstones, because as of now there is just one major source of this treasure in the world.  Only available commercially available for a little more than 25 years, it first was sold commercially in 1980, when Ametrine was put on the market by the Anahi Mine in Bolivia. The Anahi Mine in Bolivia is the major world producer of ametrine. Named after Anahi princess from the Ayoreos tribe who was married to a Spanish conquistador and the Anahi Mine was given as dowry. The mine became famous in the seventeenth century.  Ametrine can be found in very small quantities in other places such as India and Brazil.

Many believe that Ametrine contains the powers of amethyst and citrine in one stone. It is believed that Ametrine helps in achieving a balance between the spiritual and the material world.  Ametrine is said to give higher mental opening for meditation, inspiration and spiritual enlightenment.

Moses described it as a symbol of the “Spirit of God”

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is one of the most popular gemstones.  It has been considered valuable since ancient times. The quartz must be purple to be called amethyst, but it can display a range of shades including deep purple, light lilac, violet, rose, lavender and mauve.  When manganese is present in clear quartz amethyst is produced, while the amount of iron contained in the specimen accounts for the depth of purple.

Amethyst has been known to man for ages and was popular with the Ancient Greeks, as well as the Ancient Egyptians.  Its name is derived from the Greek word "amethystos", which means "not drunken", as Amethyst in ancient times was thought to ward off drunkenness.  For many thousands of years, amethyst is known as the most striking representative of the quartz family which has been a coveted by princes both ecclesiastical and secular.  Amethyst calms the mind and helps us to connect with our spiritual nature.  A large number of further miraculous powers are attributed to the amethyst in all sorts of cultures. It was said to protect crops against tempests and locusts, bring good fortune in war and in the hunt, drive out evil spirits and inspire the intellect.

Amethyst can be found all around the world with Brazil as the largest producer. Other important deposits are in Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, Madagascar, Canada, and the United States (Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, and Maine). On the Canadian side of Lake Superior in North America, there is a place named Amethyst Harbor, where violet quartz is found in ample quantities.  In July 1993, a deposit was found in Maine, which contained well over 1000 kilograms amethyst.

AMBER known as the “Happy Stone” is like a time capsule

Amber is one of the most beautiful natural forming compounds in the world.  Many people categorize it as a precious stone, while it is in fact fossilized resin.  Amber is a byproduct of flora (trees, usually coniferous) that has hardened over 360 to one million years.  "Amber is like a time capsule made and placed in the earth by nature herself," said David Federman, author of the Consumer Guide to Colored Gemstones. "It has helped paleontologists reconstruct life on earth in its primal phases. More than 1,000 extinct species of insects have been identified in amber."

The hues tend to be from yellowish honey to a gentle brown with gold in it to a dark brown. A lot of the amber used in commercial jewelry is actually reconstituted which makes it harder and less prone to scratching.  The floatation test is recommended to determine if a piece is natural amber or man-made. Make a saturated solution of regular table salt and water and place the piece of amber in this mixture. If it floats, it is amber. If it sinks it is man-made (some natural copals will also sink and you would need to make more scientific tests to make a determination).

The two main sources of amber on the market today are the Baltic States and the Dominican Republic.  Other amber sources include Myanmar (formerly Burma), Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, and Canada. Nicknamed the “happy stone”, legend says that amber is believed to bring about a care free, sunny disposition, promote good luck and success, and dissolves oppositions.   

AMAZONITE called the “Stone of Courage” by Ancient Egyptians

  

Amazonite is a translucent to opaque feldspar gemstone with a pretty green color. It is the greenish variety of the mineral Microcline.  The green comes from the copper infused in the crystal while it is forming.  Amazonite often has white lines or alternating streaks mixed in, and can have uneven color distribution.  A deep forest-green color is most preferred, but these gemstones can also be light green and bluish-green. Grayish-green and very faint green stones also exist. Amazonite is usually light green to blue-green, mottled and sometimes contains light striations. 

 

 

It is not clear where the name Amazonite comes from; some sources said it comes from the name of the river Amazon (although it was never found there); but most likely, it is named in honor of mythical women warriors - the Amazons, whose favorite color was green.  Amazonite is found in the United States, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Australia, Namibia

          

The semi-opaque stone  was used extensively by the Egyptians and was called the “stone of courage”. Amazonite is said to enhances creative expression, aligns astral bodies, unity with life. It is considered a soothing stone that offers confidence and works on the throat chakra. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope.