Amazonite
/ˈæm.ə.zə.naɪt/noun
A green to blue-green variety of microcline feldspar used as an ornamental stone and gemstone.
Did you know?Amazonite was named after supposed green stones from the Amazon region, but no confirmed deposits of the mineral are known there; the original specimens were likely from elsewhere.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀμαζόνες (Amazónes)
“The Amazons, the legendary warrior women of Greek tradition; the deeper origin of the name is uncertain.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
Amazones
“The Amazons, borrowed from Greek historical and mythological writing.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Amazonas
“Name applied to the Amazon River, reportedly influenced by accounts comparing Indigenous warriors to the Amazons.”
16th Century
English
Amazon
“A legendary warrior woman; later, the name of the great South American river.”
19th Century
Mineralogical English
amazonite
“A green feldspar mineral named after the supposed Amazon-region source of early specimens.”