Anorthoclase | |
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General | |
Category | Feldspar |
Formula (repeating unit) | (Na,K)AlSi3O8 |
IMA symbol | Ano[1] |
Strunz classification | 9.FA.30 |
Crystal system | Triclinic |
Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H–M symbol) |
Space group | C1 |
Unit cell | a = 8.28, b = 12.97 c = 7.15 [Å]; α = 91.05° β = 116.26°, γ = 90.15°; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless, also white, pale creamy yellow, red, green |
Crystal habit | Short prismatic crystals; tabular, rhombic, flattened along [010] |
Twinning | Polysynthetic twinning produces a grid pattern on [100] |
Cleavage | Perfect on [001], other partings |
Fracture | Uneven |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 6 |
Luster | Vitreous to pearly on cleavage planes |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 2.57–2.60 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.519–1.529 nβ = 1.524–1.534 nγ = 1.527–1.536 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.008 |
2V angle | Measured: 34°–60° |
References | [2][3][4] |
The mineral anorthoclase ((Na,K)AlSi3O8) is a crystalline solid solution in the alkali feldspar series, in which the sodium-aluminium silicate member exists in larger proportion. It typically consists of between 10 and 36 percent of KAlSi3O8 and between 64 and 90 percent of NaAlSi3O8.[5]