Sanidine
Volkesfeld, Mendig, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
5.25 carats
© Alfredo Petrov
Sanidine Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Sanidine Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Sanidine gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:2.50 cts
Heaviest:40.13 cts
Average:12.34 cts
Total photos:14
Do you have a larger Sanidine? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| A variety or type of: | Orthoclase, which is a variety of Feldspar | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Sanidine Treatments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Some sanidine subjected to iridation turns amber or smoky coloured. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Sanidine | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.54 to 2.61, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Good, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Excellent to good | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Conchoidal, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Sanidine | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.518 to 1.536, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/-, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.005 to 0.008, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Weak, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | Weak, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Light gray to light brownish variety, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | Weak reddish orange under both LWUV and SWUV (Madagascar), Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Sanidine | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Monoclinic, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | A flattened crystal, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Sanidine is a common constituent in acid and intermediate volcanic rocks such as rhyolites, dacites and trachytes; where the rock cooled quickly at above approximately 900°C, sanidine is the stable structure, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Sanidine information at mindat.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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