Mozambique Amazonite

[Bluegemz]

Thanks for sharing Bluegemz. They do look different. They might actually be very rare transparent amazonites, not that I have seen one. I noticed the seller only has 3 of those Paraiba colored, declared ice, more than transparent which I'm bound to believe. You took one, I took the other one - the 9mm, and there's one barrel bracelet left, seems less ice the barrel one but fantastic color. I also got the ice rhodochrosite cabochon. Let's see how it goes. I'm expecting the actual item will be less saturated than the photo based one your actual taken photos but it should be good color at least. Let's see.

I've been also eyeing the ice rhodochrosites which they have. They look good enough to eat, and I know of few other stones that evoke this reaction.

Yes, likely things will be a little less saturated based on the beads which I received. The color is kind of shocking, and I keep thinking not natural, then seeing them next to the other Amazonite and thinking natural.

I remember when I first saw Paraiba I also had this reaction, how can it be natural!? Sometimes my gut reactions have been wrong, as in the paraiba experience. I have to look at them under the gem microscope today, just too tired last night and light was fading.

From what I have obseved so far about the color SO FAR: there is no evidence of having been submerged in dye, as with dyed chalcedony. There is no build up in drill holes or in fractures that I see as of yet. There is an absense of uniformity of color. I'm imagining that the only way that they could be dyed is if the color were poured in while molten, but I can't imagine how this is possible as they are not glass, plastic or any other meltable material.

They feel slightly different from the other Amazonite beads, but this could have to do with size differences and polish level. They feel more like my labradorite bead necklace.

I think I'll post these on a gemologist's forum to gain possible additional insight. Keep you all posted.

 

[Seaglow]

I've been also eyeing the ice rhodochrosites which they have. Yes, likely things will be a little less saturated based on the beads which I received.
The color is kind of shocking, and I keep thinking not natural, then seeing them next to the other Amazonite and thinking natural.

I remember when I first saw Paraiba I also had this reaction, how can it be natural!? Sometimes my gut reactions have been wrong, as in the paraiba experience. I have to do the gen microscope today, just too tired last night and light was fading.

From what I have obseved so far about the color: there is no evidence of having been submerged in dye, as with dyed chalcedony. There is no build up in drill holes or in fractures that I see as of yet. There is an absense of uniformity of color. I'm imagining that the only way that they could be dyed is if the color were poured in while molten, but I can't imagine how this is possible as they are not glass, plastic or any other meltable material.

They feel slightly different from the other Amazonite beads, but this could have to do with size differences and polish level. They feel more like my labradorite bead necklace.

I think I'll post these on a gemologist's forum to gain possible additional insight. Keep you all posted.

Bluegemz,

I bit the bullet because of your close up photos. They look the natural typical amazonite color patching. I am willing to risk a hundred bucks or so if this is real untreated material. If not, it will still be a good study stone. I've seen amazonite with clear, transparent patches in them but not icy the entire bead! And there's no 20 bucks icy beads anymore. Lol. Imagine the sellers quality for 20 bucks vs. the top 100+ bucks. I'm being optimistic. Lol. The paraiba-colored bead bracelet, if the real stuff is close to the photo, would be amazing.

 

[Bluegemz]

Bluegemz,

I bit the bullet because of your close up photos. They look the natural typical amazonite color patching. I am willing to risk a hundred bucks or so if this is real untreated material. If not, it will still be a good study stone. I've seen amazonite with clear, transparent patches in them but not icy the entire bead! And there's no 20 bucks icy beads anymore. Lol. Imagine the sellers quality for 20 bucks vs. the top 100+ bucks. I'm being optimistic. Lol. The paraiba-colored bead bracelet, if the real stuff is close to the photo, would be amazing.

Exactly my logic too. The chance that these are Amazonite makes the risk WELL worth it. It's a very interesting training exercise as well. Maybe the gemologist's forum will suggest a test that would be definitive about treatment. I'm just not seeing any so far.

 

[Seaglow]

Exactly my logic too. The chance that these are Amazonite makes the risk WELL worth it. It's a very interesting training exercise as well. Maybe the gemologist's forum will suggest a test that would be definitive about treatment. I'm just not seeing any so far.

Unicorns can happen. When I asked my cutter to cut the Luc Yen cobalt spinel, she said before cutting, "these are sapphires". I said those are spinels. After cutting, I asked her again. And she said spinels but couldn't believe it. Lol. My red included spinel looks fake. If not for a solid crystal inside, I would think it's a synthetic that was quenched. Lol.

 

[Bluegemz]

Here are some pictures taken with natural, low and diffused morning light...

 

[Bluegemz]

Unicorns can happen. When I asked my cutter to cut the Luc Yen cobalt spinel, she said before cutting, "these are sapphires". I said those are spinels. After cutting, I asked her again. And she said spinels but couldn't believe it. Lol. My red included spinel looks fake. If not for a solid crystal inside, I would think it's a synthetic that was quenched. Lol.

Yes, very true! Unicorns CAN happen! I've been told by a few jeweler's that the doubted my emerald was real due to the intensity of saturation, until they looked more closely. Sometimes we luck out. Btw, I LOVE those blue spinels ! These gems with unbelievably intense colors are 'supernatural' lol.

 

[Burmesedaze]

I'm following this thread with excitement! Fingers crossed they are ARE unicorns!

 

[Bluegemz]

I'm following this thread with excitement! Fingers crossed they are ARE unicorns!

Thank you Burmesedaze. Wouldn't it be great if they are.

 

[Bluegemz]

Just an update...I still have to post about these on the gemology forum, which I'll do this weekend. I wore the beads on my wrist today, and actually
Noticed a slight sheen, like moonstones have on a few of the beads, but not all. So, they are definitely feldspar. This is really interesting. Clear Amazonite might well sometimes show this!

 

[Seaglow]

I went to the bead shop and saw this transparent amazonite beads in a bracelet....unfortunately, the bracelet has only about 3 transparent beads, the rest opaque but it looks really legit initially sans further testing. It looks like this stuff really exists.

 

[Bluegemz]

I went to the bead shop and saw this transparent amazonite beads in a bracelet....unfortunately, the bracelet has only about 3 transparent beads, the rest opaque but it looks really legit initially sans further testing. It looks like this stuff really exists.

That's what I believe now too. I was surprsied by the Schiller on the beads, but then saw some opaque Amazonite with some Schiller too.

 

[Bluegemz]

The new Amazonite came and its extremely beautiful. It's a lot more intensely colored than the less expensive beads. Very translucent and beautiful! Pictures are not doing justice. I'll post more when the morning light comes.

 

[Bluegemz]

This stuff is like gel silica mixed with paraiba! This was the 200$ bracelet with offer accepted for 100$. I can only imagine how great the $500 bracelet is. The star rose quartz beads are very flawless and beautiful, but one only sees the stars with certain lighting.

 

[Seaglow]

Can't wait to see photos in morning light. I got the 9mm, smaller than yours but there seem to be no more close to Paraiba color. The 500 bucks are bigger ones but looks the same color as your current photo. The earlier photos that look more paraiba, there's only 3 items and all are sold.

 

[lilmosun]

As a beader and lover of green-blues, these are so up my alley! I've never seen amazonite beads of this color and transparency Bummed I missed this thread earlier and they are all gone. Can't wait to see your finished pieces ladies! Great find!

 

[Bluegemz]

As a beader and lover of green-blues, these are so up my alley! I've never seen amazonite beads of this color and transparency Bummed I missed this thread earlier and they are all gone. Can't wait to see your finished pieces ladies! Great find!

Lilmosun, just keep checking the site. I imagine that the seller will try to eventually get more. These are so fabulous and rare in that I'd never seen anything like these before. They pack a powerful punch of color which would look wonderful with all of your saturated CS rings. For me, I'm going to keep these beads as a bracelet. They look great with the star rose quartz beads, and nice with black jade. I may add a silk tassel, as I did with the less expensive Mozambique Amazonite test' beads. Just gave those to one of my daughters. She loves the tassels!

 

[Seaglow]

So mine finally arrived and the saturation and transluscency are amazing. You can see the color zoning on some but it does look like gem silica with a touch of Paraiba.

 

[Bluegemz]

So mine finally arrived and the saturation and transluscency are amazing. You can see the color zoning on some but it does look like gem silica with a touch of Paraiba.

So beautiful Seaglow! I also
Have a few with color zoning, and some even have a slight Schiller. That color is really amazing.

 

[minousbijoux]

Bluegemz, what did you hear back from the folks at gemology online?

 

[Bluegemz]

I tried posting but was having so much trouble uploading the pictures, that I gave up trying after a number of attempts. I will try again from my home computer rather than iPhone. I might have to reduce picture size, which I did on my phone, but it still didn't work...sigh
That aside, at this point, im pretty convinced they are natural. The color patterns, the Schiller, no signs of dye, the right specific gravity and RI.

 

[minousbijoux]

Excellent!

 

[digdeep]

Thread Bump...........any new info? It is showing up with other vendors......or the same vendor with different stores?

 

[Bluegemz]

Thread Bump...........any new info? It is showing up with other vendors......or the same vendor with different stores?

No new info yet. I haven't been able to upload pics in the other site because I'm on vacation and away from my home computer. It's not working with my iPhone for some reason, even after modifying the sizes. I've had a lot of trouble there.when I get back home, I'll try it.

I'm not sure where they are showing and being sold, but i personally have only seen these at that one seller, who specializes in stone jewelry, such as solid gem bangles. Personally I believe that they are natural. The sheen, the color distribution etc. I checked under my gem microscope and did not see any signs of dye. The color distribution is just like other Amazonite types which I have. I can't imagine many other tests outside of RI and specific gravity, acetone, burn and UV testing unless one is sent in to the GIA.

 

[pregcurious]

I bought the last strand of "ice" amazonite, and am waiting for them to arrive. They are smaller in diameter, but I am hoping that they are just as translucent and saturated in color.

If they end up being real, I may make some earrings out of them too.

 

[Bluegemz]

I bought the last strand of "ice" amazonite, and am waiting for them to arrive. They are smaller in diameter, but I am hoping that they are just as translucent and saturated in color.

If they end up being real, I may make some earrings out of them too.

Great! Congrats! The color is amazing on these. It looks unbelievable and almost unnatural in the same way that paraiba and gem silica look unnatural.
You know, I just cannot imagine what else they could be. Chalcedony has a different specific gravity, and doesn't have a sheen. They are not plastic, or glass, and are not dyed. Some of the distributions of color are in patterns very similar to these Russian Amazonite beads, but much less pronounced because of the translucence.
Clearly, sometimes we make mistakes in our estimations, but I have checked to the best of my ability. The next step is to have one tested.

 

[digdeep]

If you search ebay for "Ice" amazonite there are various hits.......a couple examples:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amazonite...405063?hash=item1a20eabf87:g:PaQAAOSwax5Yy0aH

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Natural-pret...let-quartz-crystal-jewelry-3056-/292140820286

I HOPE they are real..........am just being cautious. I did end up ordering some 'mundane traditional' amazonite after all this! LOL!! This thread does whet the appetite!

 

[Bluegemz]

If you search ebay for "Ice" amazonite there are various hits.......a couple examples:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amazonite...405063?hash=item1a20eabf87:g:PaQAAOSwax5Yy0aH

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Natural-pret...let-quartz-crystal-jewelry-3056-/292140820286

It would make sense that its available elsewhere but what I'm saying is that I've never looked. Im sure it's distributed from the stone bead cutting factories in China. The first example is an unexpected ice blue.

 

[digdeep]

Sorry, I thought you meant it was a limited find to that vendor.

 

[Bluegemz]

If you search ebay for "Ice" amazonite there are various hits.......a couple examples:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amazonite...405063?hash=item1a20eabf87:g:PaQAAOSwax5Yy0aH

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Natural-pret...let-quartz-crystal-jewelry-3056-/292140820286

I HOPE they are real..........am just being cautious. I did end up ordering some 'mundane traditional' amazonite after all this! LOL!! This thread does whet the appetite!

Ah yes, the curiosity got to me as well! I wish we had inexpensive labs as they do in Asia, where things can be tested within a few hours. That would make it easier...at least the traditional ones will be 'real'. But again, my sense is that the bright ones are too.

 

[Bluegemz]

Sorry, I thought you meant it was a limited find to that vendor.

Oh no, not my intention at all. I saw them with that vendor and because I have friends who have purchased from them with good experiences, I just stayed looking there. They also have a large inventory which takes forever to look through.