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Microcline

Amazonite

MNHN N°78.192

visu_180 infos

FROM : Pike's Peak, Colorado, USA
SIZE : 6.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm

general description

This specimen is an association of two crystals of microcline. This is the amazonite variety of microcline because of their blue-green color. The crystals are perfectly terminated. One clearly distinguishes their edges and their faces. It measures 6.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.

This sample comes from the famous amazonite deposit of Pike's Peak in the Colorado (USA). In 1878, thanks to the gift of Mr. Lawrence Smith, the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle obtained the sample for its collections.

The sample is kept today in the storage rooms of the collections (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Microcline
VARIETY :Amazonite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word [mikros] meaning small and "kλνειν" [klinein] meaning "lean". Named from the angle of cleavage plans is different from 90°

Species described in 1830 par J.F.A. Breithaupt (1791-1873), Saxon mineralogist

Type-locality: Frediksvarn, Norway

CHEMICAL FORMULA : K Al Si3O8
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Triclinic
COLOR : White, yellow pale, red, blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals
HARDNESS : 6,0-6,5
DENSITY : 2,56

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Alkaline feldspath
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/J.06-30
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.FA.20

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