Ametrine
A variety of Quartz
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About Ametrine
Formula:
SiO2
Name:
Combination of "amethyst" and "citrine".
Ametrine crystals are made of alternating sectors of purple and yellow to orange color. Slabs cut perpendicular to the c axis of the crystal look a bit like a pinwheel. The purple sectors are situated under the positive rhombohedral faces (r), and the yellow sectors under the negative rhombohedral faces (z).
While the purple sectors are made of amethyst, the yellow or orange sectors are not made of citrine, because they are colored by inclusions of iron compounds and would more properly called ferruginous quartz. Accordingly, upon heating ametrine the purple sectors pale, while the yellow-orange sectors keep their color.
Ametrine has been synthesised hydrothermally in Russian laboratories (Balitsky et al., 1999).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Ametrine.
While the purple sectors are made of amethyst, the yellow or orange sectors are not made of citrine, because they are colored by inclusions of iron compounds and would more properly called ferruginous quartz. Accordingly, upon heating ametrine the purple sectors pale, while the yellow-orange sectors keep their color.
Ametrine has been synthesised hydrothermally in Russian laboratories (Balitsky et al., 1999).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Ametrine.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7606 (as Ametrine)
3337 (as Quartz)
3337 (as Quartz)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7606:3 (as Ametrine)
mindat:1:1:3337:0 (as Quartz)
mindat:1:1:3337:0 (as Quartz)
Pronunciation of Ametrine
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Chemistry of Ametrine
Mindat Formula:
SiO2
Elements listed:
Synonyms of Ametrine
Other Language Names for Ametrine
Spanish:Bolivianita
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Ametrine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7606.html
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References for Ametrine
Reference List:
Balitsky, Vladimir S., Balitskaya, Olga V. (1986) The amethyst-citrine dichromatism in quartz and its origin. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 13 (6). 415-421 doi:10.1007/bf00309187
Vasconcelos, Paulo M., Wenk, Hans-Rudolf, Rossman, George R. (1994) The Anahí Ametrine Mine, Bolivia. Gems & Gemology, 30 (1) 4-23 doi:10.5741/gems.30.1.4
Balitsky, Vladimir S., Lu, Taijin, Rossman, George R., Makhina, Irina B., Mar'in, Anatolii A., Shigley, James E., Elen, Shane, Dorogovin, Boris A. (1999) Russian Synthetic Ametrine. Gems & Gemology, 35 (2) 122-134 doi:10.5741/gems.35.2.122
Localities for Ametrine
Showing 9 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Bolivia | |
| minerals.gps.caltech.edu (n.d.) |
Brazil | |
| Sauer (1982) | |
| ... | |
Canada | |
| Ontario Gem Company |
India | |
| minerals.gps.caltech.edu (n.d.) |
Mozambique | |
| Geotrade Bohemia |
South Africa | |
| - (Error for yellow iron-stained amethyst) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Rocks & Minerals 82:415-418 |
Zambia | |
| Ella Masciulli specimens |
Anahi Mine, Puerto Suárez Municipality, Germán Busch Province, Santa Cruz, Bolivia