Anorthoclase

The mineral anorthoclase ((Na,K)AlSi3O8) is a crystalline solid solution in the alkali feldspar series, in which the sodium-aluminium silicate member exists in larger proportion. It typically consists of between 10 and 36 percent of KAlSi3O8 and between 64 and 90 percent of NaAlSi3O8.[4]

An anorthoclase crystal from Mount Erebus, Antarctica
Anorthoclase
Doubly terminated anorthoclase crystal from Kinki Region, Honshu island, Japan (size: 1.3 x 0.9 x 0.7 cm)
General
CategoryFeldspar
Formula
(repeating unit)		(Na,K)AlSi3O8
Strunz classification9.FA.30
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC1
Unit cella = 8.28, b = 12.97
c = 7.15 [Å]; α = 91.05°
β = 116.26°, γ = 90.15°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless, also white, pale creamy yellow, red, green
Crystal habitShort prismatic crystals; tabular, rhombic, flattened along [010]
TwinningPolysynthetic twinning produces a grid pattern on [100]
CleavagePerfect on [001], other partings
FractureUneven
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness6
LusterVitreous to pearly on cleavage planes
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.57 - 2.60
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.519 - 1.529 nβ = 1.524 - 1.534 nγ = 1.527 - 1.536
Birefringenceδ = 0.008
2V angleMeasured: 34° to 60°
References[1][2][3]

Structure and stability

Anorthoclase is an intermediate member of the high albite – sanidine alkali feldspar solid solution series. Intermediate members of this series, high albite, anorthoclase and high sodium sanidine are stable at temperatures of 600 °C (1,112 °F) and above. Below 400 to 600 °C only very limited solution exists (less than about 5% on both the low albite and microcline ends).[5] Anorthoclase and high albite exhibit triclinic symmetry, whereas sanidine and the low temperature orthoclase have monoclinic symmetry.[5] If the high temperature intermediate composition alkali feldspars are allowed to cool slowly, exsolution occurs and a perthite structure results.[5]

Occurrence

Anorthoclase occurs in high temperature sodium rich volcanic and hypabyssal (shallow intrusive) rocks. The mineral is typically found as a constituent of the fine grained matrix or as small phenocrysts which may occur as loose crystals in a weathered rock.[1]

It was first described in 1885 for an occurrence on Pantelleria Island, Trapani Province, Sicily. The name is from the Greek αν, ορθός and κλάσις (not cleaving at right-angles), for its oblique cleavage.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. Mindat.org
  3. Webmineral data
  4. Deere, Howie and Zussman, Rock Forming Minerals, Vol. 4 Framework Silicates, Wiley, pp. 2 - 5, Fig. 1
  5. Klein, Cornelis and Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Jr. Handbook of Mineralogy, Wiley, pp. 446-449 (Fig. 11-95 ISBN 0-471-80580-7
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