AllMineralsRock
Amazonite Vs. Smithsonite
Amazonite is a gemstone composed of potassium aluminum tectosilicate.[1] Smithsonite is a popular mineral and its chemical composition is zinc carbonate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Amazonite and Smithsonite
For a quick recap of the differences amazonite and smithsonite:- In terms of crystallography, amazonite is triclinic while smithsonite can be hexagonal or trigonal.
- For chemical formulas, amazonite is KAlSi3O8 while smithsonite is ZnCO3.
- While both amazonite and smithsonite is vitreous, in terms of luster, smithsonite can be dull, greasy or pearly.
- While both amazonite and smithsonite can be commonly green, smithsonite is often blue, pink or yellow.
- Amazonite's hardness is higher than smithsonite - amazonite ranges from 6 to 6.5 and smithsonite ranges from 4 to 4.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Amazonite's specific gravity is lower than smithsonite - amazonite ranges from 2.54 to 2.63 and smithsonite ranges from 4.3 to 4.45.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Amazonite and Smithsonite
The similarities of amazonite and smithsonite include:- Amazonite and smithsonite both can be opaque or translucent.
- Amazonite and smithsonite both streak white.
- Amazonite's rarity is similar to smithsonite.
Summary of Amazonite
Amazonite is a mineral that is also known as Amazon stone or Amazon jade. It is a type of feldspar that is typically green in color, although it can also be found in shades of blue or yellow-green. The green color is caused by the presence of lead and copper in the mineral.Summary of Smithsonite
Smithsonite is a carbonate mineral that is commonly found in the oxidation zone of zinc ore deposits. It is a secondary mineral that forms in the presence of zinc-bearing solutions that have reacted with the surrounding rock. Smithsonite is named after James Smithson, a British scientist who founded the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It is a relatively soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4 to 5 and a specific gravity of 4.4 to 4.5.Table Comparison of Amazonite vs Smithsonite
| Amazonite (src) | Smithsonite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | KAlSi3O8 | ZnCO3 |
| Chemical Composition | potassium aluminum tectosilicate | zinc carbonate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.54, 2.63 | 4.3, 4.45 |
| Hardness | 6, 6.5 | 4, 4.5 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | triclinic | hexagonal, trigonal |
| Refractive Index | 1.522, 1.53 | 1.621, 1.848 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green sometimes: blue less common: gray, purple, multicolor |
common: green, yellow, blue, pink sometimes: brown, purple, colorless less common: gray, pale, white, multicolor |
| Category | tectosilicates | carbonate |
| Birefringence | δ = -0.008 | δ = 0.223 - 0.227 |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal, splintery, uneven |