Difference between revisions of "Ametrine"
From The Gemology Project
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{{Ametrine}} | {{Ametrine}} | ||
− | [[Image:Ametrine_small.jpg|framed|left| Faceted Bolivian Ametrine | + | [[Image:Anahiametrine.jpg|framed|left|thumb|200px|Ametrine, rough from the Anahi Mine, Bolivia<br /> Photo courtesy of Rick Martin, Art Cut Gems]] |
+ | [[Image:Ametrine_small.jpg|framed|left|thumb|200px|Faceted Bolivian Ametrine<br /> Photo courtesy of Richard Kocurek.]]<br clear="left" /><br> | ||
Ametrine is a variety of [[quartz]] that contains both [[amethyst]] and [[citrine]] sectors in the same crystal. | Ametrine is a variety of [[quartz]] that contains both [[amethyst]] and [[citrine]] sectors in the same crystal. |
Revision as of 07:47, 22 June 2009
Ametrine | |
---|---|
Chemical composition | Silicon dioxide SiO2 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Habit | Prismatic |
Cleavage | Poor |
Fracture | Conchoidal |
Hardness | 7 |
Optic nature | Uniaxial + |
Refractive index | 1.544 - 1.553 |
Birefringence | 0.009 |
Dispersion | 0.013 |
Specific gravity | 2.63 - 2.65 |
Lustre | Vitreous |
Ametrine is a variety of quartz that contains both amethyst and citrine sectors in the same crystal.
Ametrine is only found in one mine in the world. The Anahi Mine in Bolivia is the major world producer of ametrine. The mine first became famous in the 17th century. A Spanish conquistador received it as a dowry when he married a princess from the Ayoreos tribe named Anahi. Ametrine was introduced to Europe through the conquistador's gifts to the Spanish queen.
Synthetic ametrine is now produced in limited quantities in Russia.