| Moonstone
is the most well known variety of
orthoclase feldspar. It characteristically
exhibits a milky floating blue light
known as adularescence or the schiller
effect. This lovely sheen is due
to a combination of orthoclase and
albite arranged in layers. Light
reflected from the layers if they
are not too thick is responsible
for the unusual optical properties.
|
| Gemological
Information |
| Color
: |
White,
Blueish White. |
| Refractive
Index: |
1.518
– 1.526 |
| Chemical
Composition: |
KalSI3O8 |
| Hardness: |
6
– 6.50 |
| Density: |
2.55
– 2.57 |
| Crystal
Group: |
Monoclinic |
| Ocurrence: |
Sri
Lanka, India, Madagascar, Burma, Tanzania,
U.S.A. |
| Moonstone
is usually cut in cabochon with
the blue colors commanding higher
prices. |
|
|
|
