Potassium feldspar of the alkali feldspar group. The green variety, amazonite, is a popular ornamental stone. Color: White, pink, green amazonite. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Streak: White. Cleavage: Perfect in two directions at 90°. Hardness: 6-6.5. Transparency: Translucent to opaque. Crystal system: Triclinic. Chemical formula: KAlSi₃O₈. Specific gravity: 2.54-2.57. Formation: Crystallizes from silica-rich magmas in granites and pegmatites; also forms through low-temperature ordering of orthoclase. Common geological settings: Worldwide in granites and pegmatites; amazonite from Colorado, Russia, Madagascar. Common look-alikes and related entries: Orthoclase, Plagioclase, Jade.
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These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:36:43.427823+00:00
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Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Potassium feldspar of the alkali feldspar group. The green variety, amazonite, is a popular ornamental stone.
How can you identify Microcline?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: White, pink, green amazonite; lustre: Vitreous to pearly; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 6-6.5; cleavage: Perfect in two directions at 90°; crystal system: Triclinic; transparency: Translucent to opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Microcline form?
Crystallizes from silica-rich magmas in granites and pegmatites; also forms through low-temperature ordering of orthoclase.
Where is Microcline commonly found?
Worldwide in granites and pegmatites; amazonite from Colorado, Russia, Madagascar.
What is Microcline commonly confused with?
Microcline may be confused with Orthoclase, Plagioclase, Jade. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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