K Feldspar
A group of related mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About K Feldspar
Member of:
Potassium-dominant feldspars with variable crystal symmetry and Al-Si ordering state; they are a subgroup of Alkali feldspars which form a structural series from fully ordered, triclinic Microcline through partially ordered Orthoclase to completely disordered, monoclinic Sanidine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
9581
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:9581:1
Similar Names
| Feldspar | A synonym of Feldspar Group |
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Kfs | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Kfs | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Kfs | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Kfs | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Kfs | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Kfs | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of K Feldspar
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Neoarchean to Quaternary : 2800 Ma to 0.00129 ± 0.00056 Ma - based on 227 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.00129 ± 0.00056 Ma | Holocene | Ar/Ar |
| 2 | 14.7 ± 0.3 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
| 3 | 18.1 ± 0.7 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
| 4 | 28.22 ± 0.06 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 5 | 28.8 ± 0.1 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 6 | 29.08 ± 0.05 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 7 | 29.43 ± 0.05 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 8 | 29.70 ± 0.05 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 9 | 30.33 ± 0.06 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 10 | 31.02 ± 0.13 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 11 | 31.53 ± 0.14 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 12 | 31.8 ± 1 Ma | Oligocene | K-Ar |
| 13 | 32.45 ± 0.05 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 14 | 33.49 ± 0.05 Ma | Oligocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 15 | 40.18 ± 0.06 Ma | Eocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 16 | 54.59 ± 0.11 Ma | Eocene | 40Ar/39Ar |
| 17 | 84.4 ± 1.0 Ma | Late/Upper Cretaceous | 40Ar-39Ar |
| 18 | 177.4 ± 5 Ma | Early Jurassic | Ar-Ar |
| 19 | 278 ± 15 Ma | Cisuralian | Rb-Sr |
| 20 | 2800 Ma | Neoarchean | Rb-Sr |
Sample references:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2 | 63.49 % | 65.62 % |
| Al2O3 | 20.03 % | 18.48 % |
| FeO | 0.14 % | |
| CaO | 0.02 % | 0.06 % |
| Na2O | 2.40 % | 3.27 % |
| K2O | 12.39 % | 11.95 % |
| P2O5 | 0.02 % | |
| Fe2O3 | 0.14 % | |
| MnO | 0.01 % | |
| Total: | 98.49 % | 99.53 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 2 | K0.96Na0.04AlSi3O8 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kawadgaon-Challanpara pegmatite field, Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh, India | Singh, Yamuna, Pandit, P. S. C., Bagora, Sanjay, Jain, P. K. (2017) Mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of co-genetic granite-pegmatite-hosted rare metal and rare earth deposits of the Kawadgaon area, Bastar craton, Central India. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 89 (2) 115-130 doi:10.1007/s12594-017-0574-2 | Perthitic microcline from a granite pegmatite. EMPA analysis. |
| 2 | Birch Portage pegmatites, Jan Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada | Pegmatite microcline Analysed by a combination of methods: X-ray fluorescence (major elements) Flame photometry (alkalis) Wet chemical analysis (BeO, separations) X-ray diffraction (structural parameters) |
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005216 | Microcline | Blasi A, De Pol Blasi C, Zanazzi P F (1987) A re-examination of the Pellotsalo microcline: Mineralogical implications and genetic considerations The Canadian Mineralogist 25 527-537 | ![]() | 1987 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000962 | Microcline | Griffen D T, Johnson B T (1984) Strain in triclinic alkali feldspars: a crystal structure study intermediate American Mineralogist 69 1072-1077 | 1984 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000194 | Microcline | Bailey S W (1969) Refinement of an intermediate microcline structure American Mineralogist 54 1540-1545 | ![]() | 1969 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020564 | Sanidine | Ohashi Y, Finger LW (1974) Refinement of the crystal structure of sanidine at 25 and 400C Carnegie Institution of Washington: Yearbook 73 539-544 | 1974 | Laacher See, Eifel District, Germany | 0 | 298 | |
| 0020555 | Sanidine | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020554 | Sanidine | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020508 | Sanidine | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020542 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020541 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020540 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020509 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 293 | |
| 0007255 | Sanidine | Menna M, Tribaudino M, Renzulli A (2008) Al-Si order and spinodal decomposition texture of sanidine from igneous clasts of Stromboli (southern Italy): insights into the timing between the emplacement of a shallow basic sheet intrusion and the eruption of related ejecta European Journal of Mineralogy 20 183-190 | 2008 | Stromboli volcano, southern Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020559 | Sanidine | Ackermann S, Kunz M, Armbruster T, Schefer J, Hanni H (2004) Cation distribution in a Fe-bearing K-feldspar from Itrongay, Madagascar: A combined neutron- and X-ray single-crystal diffraction study Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 84 345-354 | 2004 | Itrongay, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020558 | Sanidine | Ackermann S, Kunz M, Armbruster T, Schefer J, Hanni H (2004) Cation distribution in a Fe-bearing K-feldspar from Itrongay, Madagascar: A combined neutron- and X-ray single-crystal diffraction study Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 84 345-354 | 2004 | Itrongay, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020557 | Sanidine | Ackermann S, Kunz M, Armbruster T, Schefer J, Hanni H (2004) Cation distribution in a Fe-bearing K-feldspar from Itrongay, Madagascar: A combined neutron- and X-ray single-crystal diffraction study Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 84 345-354 | 2004 | Itrongay, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012862 | Sanidine | Gualtieri A F (2000) Accuracy of XRPD QPA using the combined Rietveld-RIR method Journal of Applied Crystallography 33 267-278 | 2000 | Latera, Viterbo, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020561 | Sanidine | Kimata M, Saito S, Shimizu M, Iida I, Matsui T (1996) Low-temperature structures of orthoclase and sanidine Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 171 199-213 | 1996 | Volkesfeld, Eifel, Germany | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020549 | Orthoclase | Kimata M, Saito S, Shimizu M, Iida I, Matsui T (1996) Low-temperature structures of orthoclase and sanidine Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 171 199-213 | 1996 | Itrongay, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020569 | Sanidine | Marsii I M, Organova N I, Rozhdestvenskaya I V (1993) Verification of the crystalline structure for sanidines Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva 2 85-89 | 1993 | Mongolia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020568 | Sanidine | Marcille I M, Organova N I, Rozhdestvenskaya I V (1993) Verification of the crystalline structure for sanidines Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva 2 85-89 | 1993 | Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005273 | Sanidine | Ferguson R B, Ball N A, Cerny P (1991) Structure refinement of an adularian end-member high sanidine from the Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba The Canadian Mineralogist 29 543-552 | ![]() | 1991 | Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0005272 | Sanidine | Ferguson R B, Ball N A, Cerny P (1991) Structure refinement of an adularian end-member high sanidine from the Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba The Canadian Mineralogist 29 543-552 | ![]() | 1991 | Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0005271 | Sanidine | Ferguson R B, Ball N A, Cerny P (1991) Structure refinement of an adularian end-member high sanidine from the Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba The Canadian Mineralogist 29 543-552 | ![]() | 1991 | Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0005270 | Sanidine | Ferguson R B, Ball N A, Cerny P (1991) Structure refinement of an adularian end-member high sanidine from the Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba The Canadian Mineralogist 29 543-552 | ![]() | 1991 | Buck Claim Pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0020567 | Sanidine | Deubener J, Sternitzke M, Mueller G (1991) Feldspars MAlSi3O8 (M=H,Li,Ag) synthesized by low-temperature ion exchange American Mineralogist 76 1620-1627 | ![]() | 1991 | Volkesfeld, Eifel, Germany | 0 | 293 |
| 0020572 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020571 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020570 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020546 | Orthoclase | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019651 | Orthoclase | Viswanathan K, Kielhorn H M (1983) Al,Si distribution in a ternary (Ba,K,Na)-feldspar as determined by crystal structure refinement American Mineralogist 68 122-124 | ![]() | 1983 | Yugoslavia | 0 | 293 |
| 0000887 | Hyalophane | Viswanathan K, Kielhorn H M (1983) Al,Si distribution in a ternary (Ba,K,Na)-feldspar as determined by crystal structure refinement Celsian-rich American Mineralogist 68 122-124 | ![]() | 1983 | Yugoslavia | 0 | 293 |
| 0000781 | Sanidine | Viswanathan K, Brandt K (1980) The crystal structure of ternary (Ba,K,Na)-feldspar and its significance American Mineralogist 65 472-476 | ![]() | 1980 | Otjosondu, Namibia | 0 | 293 |
| 0000714 | Microcline | Ribbe P H (1979) The structure of a strained intermediate microcline in cryptoperthitic association with twinned plagioclase feldspar American Mineralogist 64 402-408 | ![]() | 1979 | Kongnat syenite, SW Greenland | 0 | 293 |
| 0020552 | Orthoclase | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020551 | Orthoclase | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020550 | Orthoclase | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020539 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020538 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020537 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020536 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020535 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020534 | Microcline | Dal Negro A, De Pieri R, Quareni S (1978) The crystal structures of nine K feldspars from the Adamello Massif (Northern Italy) Acta Crystallographica B34 2699-2707 | ![]() | 1978 | Adamello Massif, Northern Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0020553 | Orthoclase | Fenn P M, Brown G E (1977) Crystal structure of a synthetic, compositionally intermediate, hypersolvus alkali feldspar: evidence for Na, K site ordering Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 145 124-145 | 1977 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020556 | Sanidine | Brown G E, Hamilton W C, Prewitt C T, Sueno S (1974) Neutron diffraction study of Al/Si ordering in sanidine: a comparison with X-ray diffraction data The Feldspars: Proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute 68-80 | 1974 | Laacher See, Eifel District, Germany | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000312 | Sanidine | Phillips M W, Ribbe P H (1973) The structures of monoclinic potassium-rich feldspars American Mineralogist 58 263-270 | ![]() | 1973 | Laacher See, Eifel District, Germany | 0 | 293 |
| 0000320 | Orthoclase | Prince E, Donnay G, Martin R F (1973) Neutron diffraction refinement of an ordered orthoclase structure American Mineralogist 58 500-507 | ![]() | 1973 | Himalaya mine, California, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0000313 | Orthoclase | Phillips M W, Ribbe P H (1973) The structures of monoclinic potassium-rich feldspars American Mineralogist 58 263-270 | ![]() | 1973 | St. Gotthard, Switzerland | 0 | 293 |
| 0010741 | Sanidine | Weitz G (1972) Die struktur des saninins bei verschiedenen ordnungsgraden Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 136 418-426 | ![]() | 1972 | Volkesfeld, Eifel | 0 | 293 |
| 0010740 | Sanidine | Weitz G (1972) Die struktur des saninins bei verschiedenen ordnungsgraden Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 136 418-426 | ![]() | 1972 | Volkesfeld, Eifel | 0 | 293 |
| 0000167 | Orthoclase | Colville A A, Ribbe P H (1968) The crystal structure of an adularia and a refinement of the structure of orthoclase American Mineralogist 53 25-37 | ![]() | 1968 | St. Gotthard, Switzerland, known as Spencer C | 0 | 293 |
| 0000166 | Orthoclase | Colville A A, Ribbe P H (1968) The crystal structure of an adularia and a refinement of the structure of orthoclase American Mineralogist 53 25-37 | ![]() | 1968 | St. Gotthard, Switzerland, known as Spencer B, variety adularia | 0 | 293 |
| 0020562 | Sanidine | Onorato E, Penta M, Sgarlata F (1963) Struttura del Sanidino Periodico di Mineralogia 32 1-34 | 1963 | Alban Hills, Rome Province, Latium, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020563 | Sanidine | Ribbe P H (1963) A refinement of the crystal structure of sanidinised orthoclase Acta Crystallographica 16 426-427 | ![]() | 1963 | Unknown | 0 | 293 |
| 0020547 | Orthoclase | Jones J B, Taylor W H (1961) The structure of orthoclase Acta Crystallographica 14 443-456 | ![]() | 1961 | Mogok, Upper Burma | 0 | 293 |
| 0020560 | Sanidine | Kimata M, Saito S, Shimizu M, Iida I, Matsui T (1996) Low-temperature structures of orthoclase and sanidine Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 171 199-213 | 1996 | Volkesfeld, Eifel, Germany | 0 | 121 | |
| 0020548 | Orthoclase | Kimata M, Saito S, Shimizu M, Iida I, Matsui T (1996) Low-temperature structures of orthoclase and sanidine Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 171 199-213 | 1996 | Itrongay, Madagascar | 0 | 121 | |
| 0020543 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 600 | |
| 0020565 | Sanidine | Ohashi Y, Finger LW (1974) Refinement of the crystal structure of sanidine at 25 and 400C Carnegie Institution of Washington: Yearbook 73 539-544 | 1974 | Laacher See, Eifel District, Germany | 0 | 673 | |
| 0020544 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 900 | |
| 0020573 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 923 | |
| 0020574 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1023 | |
| 0020566 | Sanidine | Ohashi Y, Finger LW (1975) An effect of temperature on the feldspar structure: crystal structure of sanidine at 800C Carnegie Institution of Washington: Yearbook 74 569-572 | 1975 | Laacher See, Eifel District, Germany | 0 | 1073 | |
| 0020545 | Orthoclase | Angel R J, Ross N L, Zhao J, Sochalski-Kolbus L, Kruger H, Schmidt B C (2013) Structural controls on the anisotropy of tetrahedral frameworks: the example of monoclinic feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 25 597-614 | 2013 | Unknown | 0 | 1075 | |
| 0020576 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1123 | |
| 0020575 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1123 | |
| 0020579 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1223 | |
| 0020578 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1223 | |
| 0020581 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1323 | |
| 0020580 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1323 | |
| 0020577 | Sanidine | Gering E (1985) Silizium/Aluminium-Ordnung und Kristallperfektion von Sanidinen Dissertation Kernforshungszentrum Karlsruhe 1 1-97 | 1985 | Madagascar | 0 | 1323 | |
| 0006649 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006611 | Sanidine | Kimata M, Shimizu M, Saito S (1996) High-temperature crystal structure of sanidine Part II. The crystal structure of sanidine at 935 C European Journal of Mineralogy 8 15-24 | 1996 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006610 | Sanidine | Kimata M, Shimizu M, Saito S (1996) High-temperature crystal structure of sanidine Part II. The crystal structure of sanidine at 935 C European Journal of Mineralogy 8 15-24 | 1996 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006587 | Sanidine | Kimata M, Saito S, Shimizu M (1995) Structure of sanidine-type KGaSi3O8: Tetrahedral-site disordering in potassium feldspar European Journal of Mineralogy 7 287-293 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007930 | Orthoclase | Tseng H-Y, Heaney P J, Onstott T C (1995) Characterization of lattice strain induced by neutron irradiation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 399-405 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007929 | Orthoclase | Tseng H-Y, Heaney P J, Onstott T C (1995) Characterization of lattice strain induced by neutron irradiation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 399-405 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007928 | Orthoclase | Tseng H-Y, Heaney P J, Onstott T C (1995) Characterization of lattice strain induced by neutron irradiation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 399-405 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006421 | Sanidine | Kroll H, Flogel J, Breit U, Lons J, Pentinghaus H (1991) Order and anti-order in Ge-substituted alkali feldspars European Journal of Mineralogy 3 739-749 | 1991 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0001125 | Sanidine | Scambos T A, Smyth J R, McCormick T C (1987) Crystal-structure refinement of high sanidine from the upper mantle American Mineralogist 72 973-978 | ![]() | 1987 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000695 | Sanidine | Keefer K D, Brown G E (1978) Crystal structure and composition of sanidine and high albite in cryptoperthitic intergrowth Note this sample of feldspar is from the Rabb Canyon pegmatite, Grant County, New Mexico, USA American Mineralogist 63 1264-1273 | ![]() | 1978 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009609 | Hyalophane | De Pieri R, Quareni S, Hall K M (1977) Refinement of the structures of low and high hyalophanes Acta Crystallographica B33 3073-3076 | ![]() | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009608 | Hyalophane | De Pieri R, Quareni S, Hall K M (1977) Refinement of the structures of low and high hyalophanes Acta Crystallographica B33 3073-3076 | ![]() | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018075 | Orthoclase | Chao S, Hargreaves A, Taylor W (1940) The structure of orthoclase. _cod_database_code 1011205 Mineralogical Magazine 25 498-512 | 1940 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018062 | Sanidine | Taylor W (1934) The structure of sanidine and other felspars _cod_database_code 1011187 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 87 464-481 | 1934 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018087 | Sanidine | Taylor W (1933) The structure of sanidine and other feldspars 2.56 _cod_database_code 1011224 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 85 425-442 | 1933 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006650 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 1.4 | 293 | ||
| 0006651 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 2.9 | 293 | ||
| 0006652 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 4.4 | 293 | ||
| 0006653 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 6.2 | 293 | ||
| 0006654 | Microcline | Allan D R, Angel R J (1997) A high-pressure structural study of microcline (KAlSi3O8) to 7 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 9 263-275 | 1997 | 7.1 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Synonyms of K Feldspar
Other Language Names for K Feldspar
Varieties of K Feldspar
| Adularia | A more ordered low-temperature variety of Orthoclase or partially disordered Microcline. Individual localities should be verified because the adularia structural state is nearly equally represented by microcline and orthoclase specimens. Generally found i... |
| Barium-Adularia | Feldspar group. Originally reported from Isagosawa mine, Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku Region, Honshu Island, Japan. |
| Barium-bearing Feldspar | |
| Valencianite | A variety of Adularia. Originally described from Valenciana Mine, Guanajuato, Mun. de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. |
Relationship of K Feldspar to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Alkali Feldspar:
| 'Anorthoclase' | (Na,K)AlSi3O8 | Tric. |
| Ferrisanidine | K[Fe3+Si3O8] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Rubicline | Rb(AlSi3O8) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
K Feldspar Members:
| Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) | Tric. 1 |
| Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Sanidine | K(AlSi3O8) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Click on any node to view relationships. Formula-derived relationship network for the group members above. Use Find related species to add formula-neighbour species outside the current group view. Solid links show inferred chemical differences; dashed violet links show same-formula crystallographic differences. Hydration states are not treated as relationship changes. These relationships do not imply any real-world substitution reactions between these species.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
K Feldspar in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
- Igneous rock
- Normal crystalline igneous rock
- Coarse-grained ("plutonic") crystalline igneous rock
- Fine-grained ("volcanic") normal crystalline igneous rock
- Dolerite
- Exotic crystalline igneous rock
- Pegmatite
- Normal crystalline igneous rock
- Metamorphic rock
Internet Links for K Feldspar
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-9581.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for K Feldspar
Reference List:
Gay, P.; Roy, N. N. (1968) The mineralogy of the potassium-barium feldspar series. III: Subsolidus relationships. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (283). 914-932 doi:10.1180/minmag.1968.283.036.02
Foland, K.A. (1974) Ar40 diffusion in homogenous orthoclase and an interpretation of Ar diffusion in K-feldspars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 38 (1) 151-166 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(74)90200-2
Willaime, Christian, Christie, John McDougall, Kovacs, Marie-Paule (1979) Experimental deformation of K-feldspar single crystals. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 102 (2) 168-177 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1979.7272
Eggleton, Richard A., Buseck, Peter R. (1980) The orthoclase-microcline inversion: A high-resolution transmission electron microscope study and strain analysis. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 74 (2) 123-133 doi:10.1007/bf01131998
Kovacs, M. P., Gandais, M. (1980) Transmission electron microscope study of experimentally deformed K-Feldspar single crystals. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 6 (1) 61-76 doi:10.1007/bf00308395
Brown, William L., Parsons, Ian (1984) The nature of potassium feldspar, exsolution microtextures and development of dislocations as a function of composition in perthitic alkali feldspars. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 86 (4) 335-341 doi:10.1007/bf01187138
McLaren, A. C., Fitz Gerald, J. D. (1987) CBED and ALCHEMI investigation of local symmetry and Al, Si ordering in K-feldspars. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 14 (3) 281-292 doi:10.1007/bf00307995
Goldsmith, Julian R. (1988) Enhanced Al/Si Diffusion in KAlSi3O8 at High Pressures: The Effect of Hydrogen. The Journal of Geology, 96 (2). 109-124 doi:10.1086/629204
Zheng, Yuanlin, Gandais, Madeleine, Heggie, Malcolm (1988) Study of (010)[101] and (001)[110]/2 dislocations in K-feldspars by HRTEM and modelling. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 15 (4) 349-354 doi:10.1007/bf00311039
Harris, MarkJ.; Salje, EkhardK.H.; Guttler, BerndK.; Carpenter, MichaelA. (1989) Structural states of natural potassium feldspar: An infrared spectroscopic study. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 16 (7). 649-658 doi:10.1007/bf00223313
Worden, R. H.; Rushton, J. C. (1992) Diagenetic K-feldspar Textures: A TEM Study and Model for Diagenetic Feldspar Growth. SEPM Journal of Sedimentary Research, 62. p.779-789. doi:10.1306/d42679d8-2b26-11d7-8648000102c1865d
Fitz Gerald, John D., Harrison, T. Mark (1993) Argon diffusion domains in K-feldspar I: microstructures in MH-10. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 113 (3) 367-380 doi:10.1007/bf00286928
Carpenter, Michael A., Salje, Ekhard K. H. (1994) Thermodynamics of nonconvergent cation ordering in minerals: III. Order parameter coupling in potassium feldspar. American Mineralogist, 79 (11-12) 1084-1098
Kronenberg, Andreas K., Yund, Richard A., Rossman, George R. (1996) Stationary and mobile hydrogen defects in potassium feldspar. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60 (21) 4075-4094 doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(96)00249-9
Gerald, J. D. F. (2006) Nanotunnels and pull-aparts: Defects of exsolution lamellae in alkali feldspars. American Mineralogist, 91 (5) 772-783 doi:10.2138/am.2006.2029
Taroev, Vladimir; Göttlicher, Jörg; Kroll, Herbert; Kashaev, Anvar; Suvorova, Ludmila; Pentinghaus, Horst; Bernotat-Wulf, Hannelore; Breit, Udo; Tauson, Vladimir; Lashkevich, Vitalij (2008) Synthesis and structural state of K-feldspars in the system K[AlSi3O8]-K[FeSi3O8]. European Journal of Mineralogy, 20 (4). 635-651 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2008/0020-1840
Significant localities for K Feldspar
Showing 53 significant localities out of 21,756 recorded on mindat.org.
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Afghanistan | |
| [Orthoclase] RWMW Collection |
Austria | |
| [Orthoclase] Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| [Microcline] Exel (1993) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| [Microcline var: Hyalophane] Jurkoviae et al. (1993) |
Canada | |
| [Sanidine] Dave Joyce personal collection |
| [Orthoclase] Age of the Cabonga nepheline syenite +5 other references |
Ethiopia | |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Kaiser (2006) |
France | |
| [Microcline] F. Gonnard (1906) |
| [Microcline] Pierrot et al. (1975) |
Germany | |
| [Sanidine] Nose (1808) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| [var: Adularia] Barresi (1996) +1 other reference |
| [Orthoclase] Bancroft (1973) +1 other reference |
| [Orthoclase] Barsotti et al. (2006) |
| [Orthoclase] Barsotti et al. (2006) | |
| [Orthoclase] |
Japan | |
| [var: Adularia] Petrov (n.d.) |
Madagascar | |
| [Sanidine] www.mindat.org (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| [var: Adularia] dan weinrich +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| [Microcline] von Bezing (2007) |
Norway | |
| [Microcline] Breithaupt (1830) |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Neumann et al. (1960) +2 other references |
| [Microcline] Breithaupt (1830) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Lunts et al. (1972) |
Switzerland | |
| [var: Adularia] Jahn (2004) |
| [var: Adularia] Toroni (1987) +1 other reference |
| [Microcline var: Hyalophane] - (1983) +2 other references |
USA | |
| [Microcline, Microcline var: Amazonite] Fabre (n.d.) |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Joseph Dorris (2015) +1 other reference |
| [var: Adularia] Moritz (n.d.) |
| [var: Adularia] Miller (circa 1986) |
| [Microcline] W.C. van Laer: field notes +1 other reference |
| [Microcline] Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| [Microcline] Ralph Lieser of Pappy’s Beryl Shop +3 other references |
| [Microcline] Williams (circa 1945) +2 other references |
| [Microcline] Davis (1901) +4 other references |
| [Microcline] Moritz (n.d.) | |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Weber et al. (1995) | |
| [Microcline var: Hyalophane] Schooner (circa 1980s) | |
| [Microcline] Ted Johnson collection |
| [Microcline] Barry Heath and Frank Perham +1 other reference |
| [Microcline, Microcline var: Amazonite] P Cristofono collection |
| [Sanidine] Ray Lasmanis +1 other reference |
| [Microcline] Peters et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
| [Microcline] Palache (1935) +1 other reference | |
| [Microcline] Palache (1935) +1 other reference |
| [Orthoclase] Strong (1965) +1 other reference |
| [Microcline var: Amazonite] Manchester (1931) |
| [Microcline] Gordon (1922) |
| [Microcline] Self-collected by Franklin Roberts. +1 other reference |







symbol to view information about a locality.
The
Pópulo e Ribalonga, Alijó, Vila Real, Portugal