Collection: Orthoclase

Mineral class- silicate
Crystal system- Monoclinic
Hardness- 6 on the MOHs scale
Cleavage- perfect in two directions intersecting at 90 degrees. The word orthoclase comes from Greek words meaning straight fracture.
Rock formation-
Igneous rocks- abundant in silica-rich,felsic and alkali igneous rocks like granite,Granodiorite syenite and pegmatites,where it forms during intermediate to slow cooling regimes.
Metamorphic rock- characteristic of high graded metamorphic rocks such as gneisses and politic schists.
It is often responsible for the distinct pink,peach,or white flecks and crystals seen within granitic rocks.