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Sanidine (Feldspar)

Chemistry:
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  More Information:

(K,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
Silicates: Tectosilicates
8/J.06-20 (Feldspar group)
(Buddingtonite - Slawsonite series)
Monoclinic - Prismatic
Vitreous to pearly
6.0
2.57 - 2.58
0.012
1.518 - 1.531  Biaxial ( - )
0.003 - 0.007
Barely Detectable, GRapi = 152.94 
1808
Mindat.org
Webmineral.com
 

Sanidine is a member of the Feldspar Group of minerals that also includes Albite, Amazonite, Andesine, Anorthite, Bytownite, Hyalophane, Labradorite, Moonstone, Oligoclase, Orthoclase, Sanidine and Sunstone. Sanidine is a rare mineral found mainly in two locatoins; near Koblenz, Germany and Ashton, Idaho. It is rare as a mineral and even rarer as a faceted gem. It does not stand out as a gem, but mostly as a rare collector's gem.

The name Sanidine is from the Greek, sanis, meaning little plate and idos meaning to see in reference to its wide, tabular crystals.
 

We have not photographed our Sanidine gems yet.  Please check back soon!