Microcline

Microcline (KAlSi3O8) is an important

igneous rock-forming tectosilicate
mineral. It is a potassium-rich alkali
feldspar. Microcline typically contains
minor amounts of sodium. It is common
in granite and pegmatites. Microcline
forms during slow cooling of orthoclase;
it is more stable at lower temperatures
than orthoclase. Sanidine is a polymorph
of alkali feldspar stable at yet higher
temperature. Microcline may be clear,
white, pale-yellow, brick-red, or green; it is
generally characterized by cross-hatch
twinning that forms as a result of the
transformation of monoclinic orthoclase
into triclinic microcline.

The chemical compound name is

potassium aluminium silicate, and it is
known as E number reference E555.

Geology
Microcline may be chemically the same
as monoclinic orthoclase, but because it
belongs to the triclinic crystal system, the
prism angle is slightly less than right
angles; hence the name "microcline"
from the Greek "small slope." It is a fully
ordered triclinic modification of
potassium Microcline
feldspar and is
dimorphous with
orthoclase.
Microcline is
identical to
Crystal Triclinic
orthoclase in
system:
many physical
Category: Tectosilicate
properties; it can
Color in Colorless
be distinguished
PPL:
by x-ray or optical
Pleochroism: N/A
examination;
Habit/Shape: Can be
viewed under a
anhedral
polarizing euhedral
microscope, Grains ar
microcline exhibits common
elongate
a minute multiple
twinning which with a
tabular
forms a grating-
appearan
like structure that
May cont
is unmistakable. lamellae
which
formed
from
exsolved
albite.
Feldspar (Amazonite) Relief: Low
negative
relief
Perthite is either
microcline or
Cleavage/Fracture Has
orthoclase with
Habit: clea
thin lamellae of para
exsolved albite. {00
goo
clea
Amazon stone, or on {
Clea
amazonite, is a
inte
green variety of
90°
microcline. It is not can
found anywhere in diffi
the Amazon Basin, see
clea
however. The
thin
Spanish explorers
due
who named it mic
apparently low
confused it with Twinning: Typically
another green displays
albite
mineral from that
twinning and
region.
pericline
twinning. Th
The largest
combination
documented leads to a gr
single crystals of pattern,
hence
microcline were
microcline
found in Devils
displays
Hole Beryl Mine, gridiron
Colorado, US and twinning. Ca
measured also display
carlsbad
~50x36x14 m.
twinning,
This could be one
simple twins
of the largest or lack
crystals of any twinning
material found so altogether.
Lamellae in
far.[1]
microcline
are
Microcline is
discontinuou
commonly used
and "pinch
for the and swell."
manufacturing of
porcelain.

As food
additive Photomicrograp
of thin section o
The chemical microcline
showing
compound name
crosshatched
is potassium crystal twinning
(in cross
aluminium silicate, polarized light)
and it is known as
Refractive nα =
E number Index: 1.514 -
reference E555. It 1.529 nβ
was the subject in = 1.518 -
1.533 nγ =
2018 of a Call for
1.521 -
technical and
1.539
toxicological data Specific 2.5-2.6
Gravity:
from the EFSA.[2]
Birefringence: Up to
In 2008, it (along first

with other order

white
Aluminum
(roughly
compounds) was 0.007)
the subject of a
Scientific Opinion Extinction Inclined
of the Panel on Habit/Angle: extinction

Food Additives, to
cleavage
Flavourings,
Processing Aids Composition: K(AlSi3O
and Food Contact
Tenacity: Brittle
Materials from the
EFSA.[3] Length N/A
Slow/Fast:
See also Optic Biaxial
Sign: negative
List of minerals Diaphaneity Transpare
Translucen
References Streak: White

1. P. C. Rickwood 2Vx: 65–88°

(1981). "The Alteration: Commonly
largest crystals" alters to

(PDF). American sericite or

clay.
Mineralogist. 66:
Color: White,
885–907.
grey,
2. "Call for greyish
technical and yellow,
toxicological data yellowish,
tan,
on sodium
salmon-
aluminium silicate
pink,
(E 554) and bluish
potassium
aluminium silicate green,
Luster: green.
Vitreous
(E 555) authorised
as food additives Mohs 6-6.5
Scale
in the EU" . EFSA.
(hardness):
3. F. Aguilar, H.
Distinguishing Gridiro
Autrup, S. Barlow,
Characteristics: twinni
L. Castle, R. disting
Crebelli, W. Dekant, microc

K.-H. Engel, N. from o

feldsp
Gontard, D. Gott, S.
Disting
Grilli, R. Gürtler, J.- from
C. Larsen, C. plagio
Leclercq, J.-C. becau

Leblanc, F.-X. lamell

plagio
Malcata, W.
contin
Mennes, M.-R. and do
Milana, I. Pratt, I.
Rietjens, P. "pinch
swell."
Tobback, F. Toldrá.
(2008). "Safety of
aluminium from dietary intake[1] -
Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food
Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids
and Food Contact Materials (AFC)" . EFSA
Journal. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2008.754 .
Alkali feldspars U. Texas
Mindat

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