Amblygonite Gemstone Information

The prices, uses and value of Amblygonite vary tremendously, depending on the size and quality of the gemstone.  AJS Gems is your source for the highest quality colored stones from across the globe, available at Bangkok direct wholesale prices.  Your gorgeous gemstone from AJS Gems is sure to impress when set into jewelry, be it a bold mans ring or a dainty ladies ring and earrings sold as a matched set.  Our loose gemstones are used to create the finest gem stone jewelry - You will positively love setting your loose cut gems into yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum jewelry.  Discover the thrill of creating that unique top quality Amblygonite ring, Amblygonite earrings set, Amblygonite pendant,  Amblygonite wedding set, or that special bracelet necklace set to be given as a loving gift to that special someone in your life.  Creating the finest jewelry starts with finding the best gemstones, and the best gemstones are found at AJS Gems.
 
Why Buy Loose Gemstones Instead of Pre-Set Jewelry?
 
There are many reasons, but basically it boils down to value and choice...

When buying your Amblygonite gemstone loose instead of a pre-set stone, you can be sure you are getting the best value for your money.  Loose gemstones are less expensive, a better value, and you can really see what you are paying for.  The most important part of getting the right price and finding the best value is to first see what you're getting.  A jewelry setting will hide the inclusions inside a gem, and can deepen or brighten its color.  With a loose stone you can much more easily inspect the gem and see it for what it really is.  In this way you can get a better idea of its true worth and be sure you are paying a fair price.

The second advantage of buying a loose gemstone is choice.  You are free to pick the exact color, cut, shape and variety of the stone for the setting of your dreams, be it yellow gold, white gold, platinum or silver; prong set or bezel set with diamond accents.  You can experience the joy of creating your very own, one-of-a-kind jewelry design. Choose from a variety of jewelry settings and styles to create a completely original presentation that will perfectly suit your individual gemstone and will be as unique as you are!

Amblygonite's name comes from the Greek words for "blunt angles" in allusion to its variously angled cleavages. Amblygonite has no less than four different directions of cleavage at different angles from one another and with different qualities of cleavage. This is very different from quartz which has no cleavage and albite which has only two directions of cleavage at nearly 90 degrees.

Amblygonite has a fairly compact structure. This fact gives rise to a somewhat high specific gravity. Of course a specific gravity of around 3.05 is not considered very high in the mineral kingdom. But a look at amblygonite's formula shows the elements sodium, lithium, aluminum, hydrogen, fluorine, oxygen and phosphorous. None of these elements are heavy and a mineral composed of these elements would be expected to have a specific gravity lower than 3. Both quartz and albite have lower specific gravities than amblygonite.

Since amblygonite has lithium in its formula, it gives a reliable lithium result with a flame test. Powdered amblygonite which is placed in a gas flame will produce a brightly colored red flame. This is evidence for the presence of lithium.

In amblygonite's chemistry, the lithium and sodium substitute for each other but there is a greater percentage of lithium than sodium. A mineral with the same structure and chemistry as amblygonite but with more sodium than lithium is called natramblygonite. There is also substitution between the hydroxide and fluorine. Amblygonite also forms a solid solution series with the often associated mineral montebrasite and differs from amblygonite by being richer in hydroxide instead of fluorine. The structures of the two minerals are the same and there are no discernible differences in physical properties between the two. In fact many specimens labeled amblygonite are in fact montebrasite.

Amblygonite rates as a 5.5 -6 on the mohs scale of hardness and thus it is generally better suited for jewelry such as pendants and earrings.  Amblygonite has a refractive index of 1.577 - 1.591.  The refractive index (RI), measured using a refractometer, is an indication of the amount light rays are bent by a mineral.  Birefringence is the difference between the minimum and maximum RI. When birefringence is high, light rays reflect off different parts of the back of a stone causing an apparent doubling of the back facets when viewed through the front facet.

Most gems have a crystalline structure. Crystals have planes of symmetry and are divided into seven symmetry systems. The number of axes, their length, and their angle to each other determine the system to which a crystal belongs.  Amblygonite gemstones crystallize in the triclinic crystal system, the least symmetrical of the crystal systems.  Crystals are rarely distinctly developed and frequently show twin lamellae.

Color

              

Amblygonite comes in very light pink, very light yellow and a lovely light mint green.  Other colors of Amblygonite are colorless,  blue, beige, gray or brown.

Sources include Minas Gerais, Brazil; Montebras, France; Germany; Varutrask, Sweden; Sakangyi, Burma; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. In the United States localities include Pala District of San Diego County, California; Newry, Hebron, Buckfield and Topsham, Maine; Taos County, New Mexico; Yavapai County, Arizona and the Black Hills area of South Dakota.