Amazonite Vs. Microcline
Amazonite is a gemstone composed of potassium aluminum tectosilicate.[1] Microcline is a popular mineral and its chemical composition is potassium aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Amazonite and Microcline
For a quick recap of the differences amazonite and microcline:- While both amazonite and microcline can be commonly green, microcline is often blue, brown, pink or yellow.
- Amazonite's rarity is more rare than microcline.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Amazonite and Microcline
The similarities of amazonite and microcline include:- Amazonite and microcline both can be opaque or translucent.
- In terms of crystallography, amazonite and microcline both are triclinic.
- For chemical formulas, amazonite and microcline both are KAlSi3O8.
- In terms of luster, amazonite and microcline both are vitreous.
- Amazonite and microcline both streak white.
- Amazonite's hardness is similar to microcline - they both range from 6 to 6.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Amazonite's specific gravity overlaps with microcline - amazonite ranges from 2.54 to 2.63 and microcline ranges from 2.54 to 2.58.
Summary of Amazonite
Amazonite is a mineral that is also known as Amazon stone or Amazon jade. It is a type of feldspar that is typically green in color, although it can also be found in shades of blue or yellow-green. The green color is caused by the presence of lead and copper in the mineral.Summary of Microcline
Microcline is a mineral that belongs to the feldspar group of minerals, which is one of the most common minerals on Earth. It is a potassium-rich mineral that is typically found in igneous rocks, and it forms as a result of the crystallization of magma. Microcline is typically white, pink, or yellow in color, and it has a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale. It is also notable for its distinctive cleavage, which is visible as a series of parallel lines on its surface.Table Comparison of Amazonite vs Microcline
Amazonite (src) | Microcline (src) | |
---|---|---|
Transparency | translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
Chemical Formula | KAlSi3O8 | KAlSi3O8 |
Chemical Composition | potassium aluminum tectosilicate | potassium aluminum silicate |
Specific Gravity | 2.54, 2.63 | 2.54, 2.58 |
Hardness | 6, 6.5 | 6, 6.5 |
Streak | white | white |
Crystallography | triclinic | triclinic |
Refractive Index | 1.522, 1.53 | 1.514, 1.539 |
Hydrous | No | No |
Colors | common: green sometimes: blue less common: gray, purple, multicolor |
common: green, blue, brown, yellow, pink less common: tan, cream, white, orange, gray, multicolor |
Category | tectosilicates | tektosilicates |
Birefringence | δ = -0.008 | δ = 0.007 |
Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal, splintery, uneven |