igneous
Pink Feldspar with Quartz
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase) with SiO2
Hardness: 6 (feldspar) to 7 (quartz). Color: Salmon pink and creamy white to translucent. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Structure: Monoclinic/Hexagonal. Cleavage: Two directions at 90 degrees for feldspar.
- Hardness
- 6 (feldspar) to 7 (quartz)
- Color
- Salmon pink and creamy white to translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 (feldspar) to 7 (quartz). Color: Salmon pink and creamy white to translucent. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Structure: Monoclinic/Hexagonal. Cleavage: Two directions at 90 degrees for feldspar.
Formation & geological history
Forms in intrusive igneous environments, specifically coarse-grained granitic rocks or pegmatites. Magma cools slowly deep underground, allowing these distinct mineral crystals to grow and interlock.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics (feldspar). Often used as a decorative stone, aggregate in construction, or for educational mineral collections.
Geological facts
Feldspar is the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth's crust, making up about 60 percent of terrestrial rocks. The pink color in this specimen is caused by impurities of hematite or variations in the potassium crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the distinct salmon-pink color and blocky cleavage of the feldspar contrasted against the harder, more irregular translucent quartz grains. Commonly found in mountain ranges and glacial till.
