Ametrine
Amethyst and citrine sharing one crystal, mined at a single Bolivian site.
- Family
- Quartz
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 7
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Ametrine forms where different zones of a single quartz crystal experienced different temperatures and oxidation states, leaving iron in two charge states side by side. Cutters orient stones so the colour boundary runs straight through the gem.
- Mineral
- Quartz (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.65
- Refractive index
- 1.544 to 1.553
- Lustre
- Vitreous
- Colours
- Purple, Yellow
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Iron responsible for colour.
Origin
- BoliviaAnahí mine, Santa Cruz
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Natural ametrine comes almost only from the Anahí mine. Synthetic and heat-treated imitations are common.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Ametrine sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Solar Plexus
- Crown
Element
- Air
Zodiac
- Libra
- Pisces
- Gemini
Planets
- Jupiter
- Sun
Properties
- Balance
- Creativity
- Decision
- Mental clarity
Lore
Legend says the Anahí mine was given to a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s as a dowry when he married a princess of the Ayoreo people, and named for her.
The mine was largely forgotten until the 1970s, when ametrine reappeared on the market and was for years assumed to be synthetic.
- Also calledBolivianite, after its only commercial source.
- CutRectangular step cuts show the two colours most cleanly.