The Specimen Library / Under the Loupe
Amazonite · Science
Microcline / blue-green variety
A closer look beyond the specimen label.
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The material, examined
What the name tells you
Microcline, orthoclase and plagioclase belong to a larger feldspar family. A color name tells you less than the mineral identity; a locality label tells you something else again.
A useful question at the counter
Is microcline established, and what supports the locality? Do not fill a missing label with the name of a famous source.
A note for your collection
Feldspar cleavage makes knocks important. Use gentle cleaning and avoid sudden heat or aggressive mechanical cleaning.
Sources & further reading
References are labeled by role. A source documenting a belief is not evidence of a medical or mineralogical effect. Reflection prompts are C&C editorial suggestions.
- Handbook of Mineralogy: Microcline
- GIA: Feldspar varieties
- C&C original crystal-practice index, 2017 archive: contemporary C&C teaching and symbolic associations.
Adjacent drawers
Related Specimens
The cabinet