mineral

Pink feldspar fragment (likely orthoclase or microcline)

Potassium feldspar, KAlSi₃O₈

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small salmon-pink, translucent-to-opaque rough fragment with a vitreous to pearly luster; likely Mohs hardness 6, two cleavage directions near 90°, and blocky crystal structure. The image is insufficient to distinguish orthoclase from microcline confidently.

Identified September 15, 2026More mineral →

Explore Pink feldspar fragment (likely orthoclase or microcline) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms by crystallization in silica-rich igneous rocks such as granite and pegmatite, and in some metamorphic rocks; specimens may be Precambrian to Cenozoic in age. The piece appears naturally fractured or lightly shaped.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in glass and ceramic manufacture, as an industrial flux, and occasionally as a low-cost ornamental or cabochon material.

Geological facts

Pink coloration commonly results from trace iron or other lattice impurities. Microcline may show distinctive cross-hatched twinning, while orthoclase generally does not.

Field identification & locations

Look for salmon-pink color, glassy luster, poor transparency, and cleavage surfaces; it should scratch ordinary glass but not quartz. Common in granitic terrains worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Norway, India, and Madagascar.