Sanidine Gemstone & Information | Gemopedia by JTV | Gemopedia™

Sanidine

Sanidine is a potassium-rich feldspar which is related to amazonite (microcline) and orthoclase by its chemistry. Sanidine gems that display adularescence, a mystical internal glow, are called moonstone. Colorless to yellow and pale brown gems have been found in Germany, Mexico, and Madagascar.

Colors

Colorless, Pale Pink, Gray, White, Yellow

  • Sanidine classification

    CommonName
    Sanidine
    Species
    Orthoclase
    Variety
    Sanidine
    Colors
    Colorless, Pale Pink, Gray, White, Yellow
    AlternateNames
    GemstoneGroups
    Feldspar
    KeySeparations
    ClassificationComments
    Sandine is a monoclinic disordered orthoclase. Some stone show low levels of radioactivity.

  • Sanidine chemistry & crystallography

    ChemicalName
    ChemicalFormula
    KAlSi3O8
    Synthesis
    CrystalSystem
    Monoclinic
    ChemistryClassification
    Silicate
    Nature
    Natural
    Crystallinity
    Crystalline
    ChemistryComments

  • Sanidine optical properties

    Transparency
    Transparent - Translucent
    Dispersion
    Strength: weak fire Value: 0.012
    OpticalComments
    RefractiveIndex
    1.518-1.531
    Birefringence
    0.003-0.007
    OpticCharacter
    Biaxial
    OpticSign
    Negative
    PolariscopeReaction
    Doubly Refractive (DR)
    Fluorescence
    SWUV: Inert to weak red-orange
    LWUV: Inert to weak red-orange
    CCFReaction
    Pleochroism
    Unobservable

  • Sanidine characteristic physical properties

    Hardness
    6-6.5
    CharacteristicComments
    Streak
    White
    SpecificGravity
    Typical:2.6
    Toughness
    Inclusions
    Luster
    Vitreous
    Stability
    Fracture
    Conchoidal, Uneven
    Cleavage
    Perfect, in two directions