The facts
What amatrice actually is
Mineralogically, amatrice is variscite and turquoise in a silicified matrix — AlPO₄·2H₂O and CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O in SiO₂, crystallising in the aggregate system.
The colour is caused by cr³⁺ and V give the green of variscite; Cu²⁺ gives the blue of turquoise; brown webbing is iron-stained host. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.55–1.62 (spot), and the specific gravity sits near 2.4–2.7; cleavage is none.
Where amatrice comes from
The recognised sources are Utahlite Hill, Tooele County, Utah, USA and Lander County, Nevada, USA.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How amatrice is treated
Frequently stabilised with polymer like turquoise, and the name is sometimes stretched to cover any green-and-brown phosphate rock. Ask whether the green phase has been verified as variscite.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What amatrice is confused with
The usual confusions are Turquoise, Variscite, Chrysocolla and Gaspéite.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.55–1.62 (spot) and specific gravity 2.4–2.7 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What amatrice is used for
Amatrice is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Amatrice is 4–6 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What amatrice costs
Indicative pricing for amatrice is Cabochons 20–150 USD.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is amatrice treated, and how?
Frequently stabilised with polymer like turquoise, and the name is sometimes stretched to cover any green-and-brown phosphate rock. Ask whether the green phase has been verified as variscite.
Where does amatrice come from?
Utahlite Hill, Tooele County, Utah, USA and Lander County, Nevada, USA. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is amatrice hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 4–6 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does amatrice cost?
Indicatively Cabochons 20–150 USD. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is amatrice confused with?
Most often Turquoise, Variscite, Chrysocolla and Gaspéite. A refractive index of 1.55–1.62 (spot) and a specific gravity near 2.4–2.7 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for amatrice?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about amatrice