Teardrop-shaped cabochons of blue-green amazonite with characteristic white veins, ~25 mm in length. Selected from a wholesale lapidary market. 8 formats available, each piece is unique in vein distribution and color hue.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Amazonite (microcline feldspar, blue-green variety with lead inclusions) |
| Dimensions |
~25 mm in length. Variation of ±0.5 mm in any dimension due to hand-cutting. |
| Shape and Back |
Teardrop, flat polished back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
6-6.5 Mohs — suitable for pendants and earrings; for rings, we recommend a closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
Untreated. Color due to lead inclusions in the feldspar lattice |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece per variant |
This specific piece
The teardrop is the most natural shape for amazonite: the curve of the body allows for maximum display of the pattern, and the apex provides visual direction to the pendant.
The blue-green hue varies among pieces in the lot: some are more turquoise, others more jade. Those with saturated color and good contrast between the green and white veins were chosen, as this contrast is precisely what makes amazonite recognizable in jewelry.
How amazonite color is formed
Amazonite is a microcline feldspar whose blue-green color is due to small amounts of lead (Pb) and water incorporated into the crystal lattice during the mineral's formation.
What setting it works for
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Bezel setting (925 silver or other precious metals) — the ~25 mm teardrop is the classic main pendant format; an open bezel follows the silhouette and leaves the full profile visible.
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Central pendant — the lower apex provides natural movement; it works very well with oxidized silver, bright silver, and also copper.
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Wire wrap — the flat back facilitates basic wrapping; the green of amazonite harmonizes especially well with copper wire.
Amazonite in lapidary tradition
Green feldspar was used in ancient Egyptian jewelry — amazonite cabochons have been found in pharaonic ornaments and in Tutankhamun's tomb. In Mesopotamia, it was used in cylinder seals.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine amazonite
Genuine amazonite is cool to the touch and cannot be scratched with fingernails (hardness >6). The color is opaque — not translucent — and the green has an unmistakable bluish hue. The white veins are from the same feldspar without inclusions, they are not quartz veins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all pieces in the lot identical?
No. Each piece has its own distribution of white veins and its specific shade of green. The teardrop silhouette is the same for all (~25 mm), but the internal pattern is unique. This is precisely what makes these cabochons ideal for artisan jewelry.
Do they fit standard teardrop bezels?
The teardrop silhouette works well for a pendant or statement ring, but since it is hand-cut, the exact curvature varies. The jeweler constructs the bezel by adapting it to the specific piece — they are not designed to fit pre-formed catalog bezels.
Is the amazonite treated?
No detectable treatment. The color is natural — lead inclusions in the feldspar — without dyeing or coating. Statement based on lapidary observation; no formal gemological certification.
Why do the pieces have different shades of green?
Color variability is a natural property of the mineral: the concentration of lead in the crystal lattice varies from zone to zone within the same deposit, which produces the spectrum from jade-green to turquoise-green.
Are the dimensions exact?
The approximate length is ~25 mm, with a variation of ±0.5 mm in any dimension due to hand-cutting. The exact dimensions of each piece are listed in its variant.
How to care for it?
Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid ultrasound and abrasive products. Store separately from harder minerals. Full guide in jewelry care.
See also: all cabochons · cabochons for silversmithing.
