The Uses of Ametrine

Ametrine is a type of quartz. It is created from a mixture of Amethyst and Citrine. Citrine is the same substance as Amethyst, except heated. Ametrine has a variety of names including Trystine and a commercial named called Bolivianite. It is referred to Bolivianite due to the fact that it Ametrine is mainly found only in Bolivia; however there are some small deposits in Brazil and India.

Ametrine is a truly gorgeous gemstone, what makes it special is its many colors, which can include a deep dark violet or purple, orange and yellow. Ametrine has a hardness of 7, as measured on the Moh’s scale. This means that it is quite good to cut and make into ornamental jewelry. However, it should be noted that even with a hardness of 7, Ametrine can fracture and chip. A hardness of 7 still means that it is only 1/15 as strong as a diamond.

Ametrine is mostly used as ornamental jewelry and is relatively new to the market. Commercially sold Ametrine has only been available since 1980. However, Ametrine usually piggybacks on the qualities of both Amethyst and Citrine. Most gem connoisseurs state that it has both the properties of an Amethyst and Citrine. Ametrine can also be given as an astrological gift; the astrological sign associated with Ametrine is Libra.

Because of Ametrine’s beauty, hardness, luster and other qualities, it is beginning to become more popular in the commercial jewelry market. Expect to see more Ametrine in different jewelry settings in the near future.

Ametrine - The History and Origins

Ametrine is a type of naturally occurring quartz. It is made from a mixture of Amethyst and Citrine. It should be noted that Citrine is Amethyst that has been super heated. Ametrine is sometimes referred to as Trystine or even by its commercial name Bolivianite. Ametrine comes from mines in Bolivia, where practically all of the worlds Ametrine are located. However, it has also been found in Brazil and India.

Ametrine is a beautiful gemstone, it usually has three different colors, all of which can be present and can change sometimes depending on light and angle. The three colors that can be present are purple, yellow and orange. There is also artificial Ametrine which is crated by heating Amethyst.

Since Ametrine is extremely rare, it doesn’t have as an extensive history and origin as other popular gemstones; however Ametrine was said to be first introduced in Europe by Conquistadors that found Ametrine in South America. It is said that Ametrine was given to the Spanish Queen as a gift for a dowry.

Ametrine has only been commercially available for a little more than 25 years. It first was sold commercially in 1980, when Ametrine was put on the market by the Anahi Mine in Bolivia.

Because there is little history about this precious and beautiful stone, most people usually look towards the two minerals present in Ametrine – Amethyst and Citrine. This means that Ametrine can relieve stress and make one feel calm. It can also make one enhance their thought process and mental capabilities.