Glittering Stones >> Semi precious stones >> Feldspar

Semi Precious Stone Feldspar

Feldspar was collected by Apollo 16 from the Lunar Highlands near Descartes Crater. This sample is currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Feldspar is the name of a very important group of rock-forming minerals that make up perhaps as much as 65% of the Earth's crust. Feldspars crystallize from magma in the both intrusive and the extrusive rocks; they occur as compact minerals, as veins, and are normally present in many types of metamorphic rock. Rock formed entirely of plagioclase feldspar (see below) is called as anorthosite. Feldspars are also found in most types of sedimentary rock.

Historical Facts of Feldspar

Hardness: 6 on Mohs scale

Mineralogical composition: Orthoclase, Albite and Anorthite

Groups: Plagioclase feldspars, Alkali feldspars

Color: Off-white,yellowish, flesh pink, brown or green

Uses: Thermoluminescence dating and optical dating in earth sciences and archaeology

Gemstone Feldspar Jewelry