Orthoclase

- Shop
- Holiday Gift Certificates
- SALE
- NEW
- New Mexico Minerals
- Minerals
- Fossils
- Energy Tools
- Jewelry
- Gems & Cabs
- Home Decor
- Books & Games
- Sets & Kits
- Decorative Carvings & Shapes
- Gift Cards
- Blog
- Info Pages
- Birthstones
- Chakras
- Crystallography
- Crystal Habits
- Crystal Systems
- Geologic Time Scale
- Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Newsletter Archives
- Southwest Gem/ Mineral/ Rock Clubs
- Taos Rockers' Gem Safari
- Size Chart
- About
- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Meteorite
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Rosasite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite
Orthoclase
Mineral formula: K(AlSi3O8)
Mineral group: member of the feldspar group
Crystal system: monoclinic
Crystal habit: blocky, prismatic, massive or granular.
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, good on {010}
Fracture: irregular / uneven, conchoidal
Color: colorless to white, greenish white, pale pink, yellowish
Luster: vitreous, sub-vitreous, resinous
Diaphaneity: transparent, translucent
Moh’s scale hardness: 6
Streak: white
Specific gravity: 2.55 – 2.63
Named after: the Greek orthos ("right") in allusion to the mineral's right angle of good cleavage; Rene Just Haüy named it “orthose” in 1801. The sense of Haüy's name was that the mineral was a feldspar, but he did not specify a type-locality, nor did Haüy give a chemical analysis. The name was changed in 1823 to orthoklas by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt.
Geological occurrence: Common feldspar of high-temperature granites, syenites, high-grade metamorphic rocks, and felsic extrusive rocks.
Energetic properties: As for all feldspars, orthoclase supports detaching from the old, with self-love and self-awareness. According to Melody,* orthoclase is a “stone of cooperative effort” assisting with regulating mood and keeping spirits high. It promotes liveliness and pleasantness- Shop
- Holiday Gift Certificates
- SALE
- NEW
- New Mexico Minerals
- Minerals
- Fossils
- Energy Tools
- Jewelry
- Gems & Cabs
- Home Decor
- Books & Games
- Sets & Kits
- Decorative Carvings & Shapes
- Gift Cards
- Blog
- Info Pages
- Birthstones
- Chakras
- Crystallography
- Crystal Habits
- Crystal Systems
- Geologic Time Scale
- Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Newsletter Archives
- Southwest Gem/ Mineral/ Rock Clubs
- Taos Rockers' Gem Safari
- Size Chart
- About
- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Meteorite
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Rosasite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite
Refine

- Shop
- Holiday Gift Certificates
- SALE
- NEW
- New Mexico Minerals
- Minerals
- Fossils
- Energy Tools
- Jewelry
- Gems & Cabs
- Home Decor
- Books & Games
- Sets & Kits
- Decorative Carvings & Shapes
- Gift Cards
- Blog
- Info Pages
- Birthstones
- Chakras
- Crystallography
- Crystal Habits
- Crystal Systems
- Geologic Time Scale
- Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Newsletter Archives
- Southwest Gem/ Mineral/ Rock Clubs
- Taos Rockers' Gem Safari
- Size Chart
- About
- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Meteorite
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Rosasite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite