K Spar Thin Section

Feldspar stain k spar and plagioclase 8 00.

K spar thin section. Each plagioclase grain in reality is typically a stack of thin crystals each with its molecules arranged in opposite directions. In general keys to identifying k feldspar are its lack of color its low birefringence and its twinning. Home rocks and minerals plagioclase feldspar thin section reference url share.

You can find the explanation on the alkali feldspar page. Feldspars may be distinguished between each other by a number of properties but the one most likely to be effective in pottery thin sections is the twinning. Colorless but may be cloudy.

It is a type of potassium feldspar also known as k feldspar the gem known as moonstone see below is largely composed of orthoclase. Orthoclase or orthoclase feldspar endmember formula k al si 3 o 8 is an important tectosilicate mineral which forms igneous rock the name is from the ancient greek for straight fracture because its two cleavage planes are at right angles to each other. Plagioclase feldspar thin section view description.

Plagioclase has a color range from white to dark gray and it s typically translucent. If a mineral commonly has a range of colours it will appear once for each colour. Non standard thin section thickness 30 μm standard 2 50.

Up to 3 1. Sanidine k na al si 4o8 c 20 1m i nera ld t pub sh g v o. In thin section alkali feldspar grains often look like they re sprinkled with dirt ppl or tiny confetti xpl.

Other k spars in hand sample. Within the tables minerals are arranged by colour so as to help with identification. Identification tables for common minerals in thin section these tables provide a concise summary of the properties of a range of common minerals.