gemstone
Moonstone
Orthoclase feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically white to silvery with a pearly adularescence, monoclinic crystal system, and two directions of good cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically white to silvery with a pearly adularescence, monoclinic crystal system, and two directions of good cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous rocks like granites and pegmatites, as well as in hydrothermal veins through the cooling and exsolution of alkali feldspar.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, particularly in cabochons, rings, and pendants, as well as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Moonstone exhibits a shimmering optical phenomenon called adularescence caused by light scattering between microscopic alternating layers of orthoclase and albite.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic floating blue or white sheen when rotated under a light source; commonly sourced from Sri Lanka, India, and Madagascar.
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