mineral
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6 on Mohs scale; Color: salmon pink to reddish-orange; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: two planes at 90 degrees; Specific gravity: 2.55-2.63
- Hardness
- 6 on Mohs scale
- Color
- salmon pink to reddish-orange
- Luster
- vitreous to pearly
Identified More mineral →
Explore Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6 on Mohs scale; Color: salmon pink to reddish-orange; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: two planes at 90 degrees; Specific gravity: 2.55-2.63
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous rocks like granite and pegmatites through slow cooling of magma. It is a primary constituent of the Earth's crust.
Uses & applications
Used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, as a filler in paint and rubber, and occasionally as a gemstone (moonstone variant).
Geological facts
Orthoclase is one of the ten index minerals of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The name is derived from the Greek for 'straight fracture', referring to its two cleavage planes at right angles.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic pink color and distinctive 90-degree cleavage planes. Commonly found in granitic mountain ranges worldwide.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary