Difference between revisions of "Orthoclase"

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[[File:Potashfeldsparemr1.jpg|thumb|Orthoclase (potassium feldspar)]]
 
[[File:Potashfeldsparemr1.jpg|thumb|Orthoclase (potassium feldspar)]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:ps30209sanidine.jpg|thumb|Sanidine]]
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A common type of [[feldspar|feldspar]] composed of potassium aluminum silicate. Orthoclase is found in many igneous rocks worldwide. It is generally a white or pale pink in color and has two good cleavage planes at right angles. Pure orthoclase is called adularia. Orthoclase with an intergrowth of albite has a pearly opalescence and is called [[moonstone|moonstone]]. It is used as a gemstone. Sanidine is a glassy type of orthoclase. Orthoclase has been used since ancient times for beads. It is also used in the manufacture of glass, porcelain and enamels.
  
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A common type of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=feldspar feldspar] composed of potassium aluminum silicate. Orthoclase is found in many igneous rocks worldwide. It is generally a white or pale pink in color and has two good cleavage planes at right angles. Pure orthoclase is called adularia. Orthoclase with an intergrowth of albite has a pearly opalescence and is called [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=moonstone moonstone]. It is used as a gemstone. Sanidine is a glassy type of orthoclase. Orthoclase has been used since ancient times for beads. It is also used in the manufacture of glass, porcelain and enamels.
 
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[[File:ps30209sanidine.jpg|thumb|Sanidine]]
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
potash feldspar; adularia; moonstone; sanidine; microcline; amazonstone; amazonite; ortoclasa (Esp.); orthoclase(Fr.); ortose (Port.); Orthoklas (Deut.); orthoclaas (Ned.)
 
potash feldspar; adularia; moonstone; sanidine; microcline; amazonstone; amazonite; ortoclasa (Esp.); orthoclase(Fr.); ortose (Port.); Orthoklas (Deut.); orthoclaas (Ned.)
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Orthoclaseitaly1.jpg~Raman (U of Parma)|Orthoclase Raman RRUFF R040055.png~Raman (RRUFF)|Orthoclase IR-ATR RRUFF R040055.png~IR-ATR (RRUFF)]]]
  
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Orthoclaseitaly1.jpg~Raman|sanidineRS.jpg~Raman]]]
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==Physical and Chemical Properties ==
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== Other Properties ==
 
  
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Monoclinic system; twinned crystals common. Perfect cleavage in two directions (right angles). Fracture = uneven. Luster = vitreous. Streak = white.
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* Monoclinic system; twinned crystals common   
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* Perfect cleavage in two directions (right angles)   
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* Fracture = uneven to splintery  
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* Luster = vitreous   
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* Streak = white  
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* Pleochroism = usually none; may be weak in yellow stones
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* Fluorescence = inert to weak; different shades of body color
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* May show adularescence or aventurescence
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* Dispersion = strong
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* Inclusions = centipede-like inclusions; twinning planes; possible oriented needles
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
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| 2.56-2.58
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| 2.55 - 2.63 g/ml
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
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| 1.52
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| 1.518 - 1.526
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|-
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! scope="row"| Birefringence
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| 0.005 - 0.008
 
|}
 
|}
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== Additional Information ==
 
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Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Orthoclase.shtml Orthoclase]
 
  
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
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[[media:download_file_426.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
 
[[media:download_file_426.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
  
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== Resources and Citations ==
  
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Orthoclase.shtml Orthoclase]
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== Authority ==
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* Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
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* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
 
* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "orthoclase" [Accessed December 4, 2001]
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "orthoclase" Encyclopædia Britannica [Accessed December 4, 2001]
 
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* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
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* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthoclase Orthoclase] (Accessed Sept. 14, 2005 and Dec 2022)
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* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthoclase (Accessed Sept. 14, 2005)
 
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 316
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 316
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
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* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
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* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  

Latest revision as of 12:40, 4 January 2023

Orthoclase (potassium feldspar)

Description

Sanidine

A common type of Feldspar composed of potassium aluminum silicate. Orthoclase is found in many igneous rocks worldwide. It is generally a white or pale pink in color and has two good cleavage planes at right angles. Pure orthoclase is called adularia. Orthoclase with an intergrowth of albite has a pearly opalescence and is called Moonstone. It is used as a gemstone. Sanidine is a glassy type of orthoclase. Orthoclase has been used since ancient times for beads. It is also used in the manufacture of glass, porcelain and enamels.

Synonyms and Related Terms

potash feldspar; adularia; moonstone; sanidine; microcline; amazonstone; amazonite; ortoclasa (Esp.); orthoclase(Fr.); ortose (Port.); Orthoklas (Deut.); orthoclaas (Ned.)

Raman (U of Parma)

Orthoclaseitaly1.jpg

Raman (RRUFF)

Orthoclase Raman RRUFF R040055.png

IR-ATR (RRUFF)

Orthoclase IR-ATR RRUFF R040055.png


Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Monoclinic system; twinned crystals common
  • Perfect cleavage in two directions (right angles)
  • Fracture = uneven to splintery
  • Luster = vitreous
  • Streak = white
  • Pleochroism = usually none; may be weak in yellow stones
  • Fluorescence = inert to weak; different shades of body color
  • May show adularescence or aventurescence
  • Dispersion = strong
  • Inclusions = centipede-like inclusions; twinning planes; possible oriented needles
Composition KAlSi3O8
Mohs Hardness 6.0 - 6.5
Density 2.55 - 2.63 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.518 - 1.526
Birefringence 0.005 - 0.008

Comparisons

Properties of Common Gemstones

Resources and Citations

  • Mineralogy Database: Orthoclase
  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "orthoclase" [Accessed December 4, 2001]
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Wikipedia: Orthoclase (Accessed Sept. 14, 2005 and Dec 2022)
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 316
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

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