AllMineralsRock
Sanidine
Sanidine is a popular mineral composed of potassium aluminum silicate. [1]
Sanidine: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Sanidine:- Transparency: Sanidine can be translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, sanidine is monoclinic.
- Luster: In terms of luster, sanidine can be pearly or vitreous (glassy).
- Streak: Sanidine streaks white.
- Hardness: Sanidine's hardness ranges from 6 to 6.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Specific Gravity: Sanidine's specific gravity ranges from 2.57 to 2.58.
Sanidine: Background and Summary
Sanidine is a mineral that belongs to the feldspar group, which is a group of minerals that are commonly found in igneous rocks. It is a potassium-rich alkali feldspar with a chemical composition of KAlSi3O8. Sanidine is a high-temperature form of potassium feldspar, which crystallizes at temperatures above 900°C. It is usually colorless or white, but it can also be gray, yellow, or pink. The mineral has a glassy luster and a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. Sanidine is often confused with other feldspars such as orthoclase and microcline, but it can be distinguished from them by its high-temperature crystal structure.Sanidine has several uses in various fields. It is used as a gemstone, especially in jewelry. Sanidine can be cut and polished to create beautiful gems that are used in rings, necklaces, and other jewelry items. It is also used in the manufacture of ceramics, glass, and porcelain. Sanidine is an important ingredient in the production of glazes, which are used to give ceramics and pottery their glossy finish. In addition, sanidine is used in the production of glass and porcelain, where it acts as a flux that lowers the melting point of the materials.
Sanidine: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Sanidine (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent |
| Chemical Formula | KAlSi3O8 |
| Chemical Composition | potassium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.57, 2.58 |
| Hardness | 6, 6.5 |
| Streak | white |
| Crystallography | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.516, 1.526 |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: brown, white sometimes: gray, cream, yellow, colorless |
| Category | feldspar |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.007 |
| Fracture | 1: 12: 2 |
Sanidine: FAQ
Q: What is the difference between sanidine and other feldspars?A: Sanidine is a high-temperature form of potassium feldspar that crystallizes at temperatures above 900°C. It can be distinguished from other feldspars such as orthoclase and microcline by its crystal structure.
Q: Is sanidine rare?
A: Sanidine is not a rare mineral, but it is not commonly found in large quantities.
Q: Can sanidine be found in any specific geographic locations?
A: Sanidine can be found in many places around the world, including the United States, Russia, Germany, Italy, and Brazil.
Sources
- Mindat.org: https://www.mindat.org/min-3485.html- Geology.com: https://geology.com/minerals/sanidine.shtml
- Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/sanidine
- Sanidine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanidine
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