Feldspar

Feldspar is a group of minerals that make up one of the most abundant rock-forming minerals on Earth’s crust.

Common feldspar group minerals include albite, anorthite, oligoclase, orthoclase, and microcline. Various combinations of these can form as Labradorite, Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, and Amazonite.

They are often used as gemstones, as many have interesting optical properties such as chatoyance and play of colour.

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Information about Feldspar

 

Feldspar is an extremely well known and widely collected group of rock forming minerals which forms 50-60% of the earths crust.

The major members of the group include albite, anorthite, oligoclase, orthoclase, microcline.

Uses and History

Feldspar is widely used for industrial purposes, in various glass and ceramic products as well as being used as a filler in paints, rubber, plastics and ceramics.

It is also used as a gemstone – I’m sure some of you will have heard of Labradorite, Moonstone, Sunstone, or Amazonite?

The name feldspar likely derives from the German words ‘feld’ (field) and ‘spath’ (spar).

The use of various forms of feldspar dates back much further than it’s official naming, having been used for centuries.

Mineralogy

Chemistry
A group of tectosilicate minerals with varying formulas.
Colours and Variations
white, cream, grey, brown, blue, green
Streak
white
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
Opaque
Fracture
Typically fractures along cleavage planes.
Crystal habit
Mohs hardness
6.0 – 6.5
Fluorescence
Specific Gravity
2.55 – 2.76
Easiest testing method

Hazards and Warnings

 

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

 

Translations

Arabic:

  • مجموعة الفلدسبار

Hindi:

  • फेल्डस्पार

Portuguese:

  • Feldspato

Bengali:

  • ফেল্ডস্পার

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

Italian:

  • Feldspato

Russian:

  • Полевой шпат

French:

  • Feldspath

Japanese:

  • 長石

Spanish:

  • Feldespato

German:

  • Feldspat

Korean:

  • 장석

Thai:

  • เฟลด์สปาร์

Gujurati:

  • फेल्डस्पार

Mandarin Chinese:

  • 长石族

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links