Reviews
2.4" Pink Microcline Crystal Cluster - 10 Percenter Claim, Colorado
This is a beautiful, light-pink microcline crystal cluster mined from the renowned 10 Percenter Claim in Teller County, Colorado - a site known for producing some of world's finest amazonite. There is some slight blue coloration (amazonite) along the underside of the specimen, indicating there are traces of lead impurities within the crystals.
About Microcline Feldspar
Microcline is a potassium-rich feldspar mineral that forms in the triclinic crystal system and is commonly found in granitic and pegmatitic rocks. It is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth’s continental crust and often appears as opaque to translucent crystals ranging in color from white and cream to pale pink, salmon, or green. A distinguishing feature of microcline is its characteristic “tartan” or cross-hatched twinning pattern, visible under magnification, which helps differentiate it from other feldspars like orthoclase. With a Mohs hardness of about 6 to 6.5, it is relatively durable and contributes significantly to the overall strength of many rocks in which it occurs.
Geologically, microcline forms during the slow cooling of magma, allowing its crystal structure to fully develop into the triclinic form. It often occurs alongside quartz, mica, and other feldspar minerals, playing a key role in identifying igneous rock types. In some cases, microcline can exhibit a striking green to blue-green coloration due to trace amounts of lead. This variety is known as amazonite and is especially valued as a decorative and gemstone material.
General Chemical Formula - KAlSi₃O₈
Microcline is a potassium-rich feldspar mineral that forms in the triclinic crystal system and is commonly found in granitic and pegmatitic rocks. It is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth’s continental crust and often appears as opaque to translucent crystals ranging in color from white and cream to pale pink, salmon, or green. A distinguishing feature of microcline is its characteristic “tartan” or cross-hatched twinning pattern, visible under magnification, which helps differentiate it from other feldspars like orthoclase. With a Mohs hardness of about 6 to 6.5, it is relatively durable and contributes significantly to the overall strength of many rocks in which it occurs.
Geologically, microcline forms during the slow cooling of magma, allowing its crystal structure to fully develop into the triclinic form. It often occurs alongside quartz, mica, and other feldspar minerals, playing a key role in identifying igneous rock types. In some cases, microcline can exhibit a striking green to blue-green coloration due to trace amounts of lead. This variety is known as amazonite and is especially valued as a decorative and gemstone material.
General Chemical Formula - KAlSi₃O₈
$25
SPECIES
Feldspar var. Microcline
LOCATION
10 Percenter Claim, Lake George, Teller County, Colorado
SIZE
2.4 x 1.8"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#358527
