|
Microcline |
  
|
|
Microcline |
|
Microcline is a common, but not a well known mineral and has been used as a semi-precious stone under the names of Amazonite and Perthite. Amazonite is a variety that is deep green and is suitable for carving and polishing. The perthite variety is a stripped, veined or almost zebra patterened stone, that is produced from lamellar intergrowths inside the crystal.
These intergrowths result from compatible chemistries at high temperatures becoming incompatible at lower temperatures and thus a seperating and layering of these two phases. The coloured stripes are microcline and the white or clear stripes are plagioclase feldspars. If there is more plagioclase than microcline it is called "antiperthite".
|
