What are special properties of feldspar?
Generalized Physical Properties of Feldspar Minerals | |
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Chemical Classification | Silicate |
Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5 |
Specific Gravity | 2.5 to 2.8 |
Diagnostic Properties | Perfect cleavage, with cleavage faces usually intersecting at or close to 90 degrees. Consistent hardness, specific gravity and pearly luster on cleavage faces. |
What minerals are found in feldspar?
All the rock-forming feldspars are aluminosilicate minerals with the general formula AT4O8 in which A = potassium, sodium, or calcium (Ca); and T = silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al), with a Si:Al ratio ranging from 3:1 to 1:1.
What are the properties of potassium feldspar?
POTASSIUM FELDSPAR
- Chemical Composition: KAlSi3O8.
- Hardness: 6.
- Color: Flesh-colored, pink, white, green or gray.
- Specific Gravity: 2.6.
- Cleavage Planes: Two perfect, at right angles.
- Crystal Structure: Prism-shaped crystals.
- Luster: Nonmetallic.
- Other Properties: Common mineral (orthoclase is a common variety).
Is feldspar a quartz?
The main mineral that might be confused with feldspar is quartz. Other differences: quartz is usually clear and feldspar is usually cloudy. Quartz appears in crystals more commonly than feldspar, and the six-sided spears of quartz are very different from the generally blocky crystals of feldspar.
What are the physical properties of muscovite?
Physical Properties of Muscovite | |
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Chemical Classification | Silicate |
Color | Thick specimens often appear to be black, brown, or silver in color; however, when split into thin sheets muscovite is colorless, sometimes with a tint of brown, yellow, green, or rose |
Streak | White, often sheds tiny flakes |
Luster | Pearly to vitreous |
Which is harder quartz or feldspar?
As you can see, diamond is a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Diamond is the hardest mineral; no other mineral can scratch a diamond. Quartz is a 7….Mohs Hardness Scale.
Hardness | Mineral |
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4 | Fluorite |
5 | Apatite |
6 | Orthoclase feldspar |
7 | Quartz |
Why is feldspar used in ceramics?
Feldspars of importance to ceramics are aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, and calcium (Jones & Berard, 1993) They are used as fluxes to form a glassy phase in bodies, thus promoting vitrification and translucency. They also serve as a source of alkalis and alumina in glazes.
What are the special properties of halite?
Physical Properties of Halite | |
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Chemical Classification | Halide |
Mohs Hardness | 2.5 |
Specific Gravity | 2 |
Diagnostic Properties | Cleavage, solubility, salty taste (The taste test is discouraged. Some minerals are toxic or contaminated by other people tasting them.) |