mineral
K-feldspar (Microcline / Perthite)
Potassium aluminum silicate, KAlSi3O8
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, salmon-pink to reddish-brown color, vitreous to pearly luster, monoclinic or triclinic crystal system, with two directions of good cleavage meeting near 90 degrees.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, salmon-pink to reddish-brown color, vitreous to pearly luster, monoclinic or triclinic crystal system, with two directions of good cleavage meeting near 90 degrees.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily through the slow cooling of felsic magmas in pegmatites and granites, often over millions of years during continental crust formation.
Uses & applications
Used widely in the manufacturing of ceramics, porcelain, and glass, as well as being a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
The characteristic pinkish color is typically caused by microscopic hematite inclusions within the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its distinct salmon-pink coloration and near-right-angle cleavage planes, commonly found in granitic pegmatites worldwide.
