Microcline is a mineral series in the feldspar group. Amazonite is a light green to greenish blue variety of Microcline. Sometimes falsely referred to as Colorado jade or Pike’s Peak jade, it often has grid-like white streaks and a faint sheen.
Gemological Information for Microcline
| Color: | Light Green, Greenish Blue |
| Crystal Structure: | Triclinic |
| Refractive Index: | 1.522 to 1.530 |
| Durability: | Poor |
| Hardness: | 6 to 6.5 |
| Family: | Feldspar |
| Similar Stones: | Aventurine Quartz, Chalcedony, Turquoise |
| Treatments: | Wax Impregnation, Irradiation |
| Country of Origin: | Brazil, Madagascar, Norway, US, Russia |
Microcline Care
| Ultrasonic Cleaning: | Never |
| Steam Cleaning: | Never |
| Warm Soapy Water: | Never |
| Chemical Attack: | Hydrofluoric Acid Attacks Quickly. Impurities May React to Other Acids |
| Light Sensitivity: | Stable |
| Heat Sensitivity: | Can Crack, Fade and Cleave |
Sources
- Gem Reference Guide, Los Angeles: Gemological Institute of America, 1988. Pp. 101-107.
- Newman, Harold. An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, New York: Thames and Hudson, 1981. Pp. 122.
- Schumann, Walter. Gemstones of the World, New York: Sterling Publishing, Co., 1977. Pp. 164-167.