Feldspar Thin Section
The really precise way is to use thin sections to determine the optical properties along the different crystallographic axes.
Feldspar thin section. K feldspar in thin section rarely has well developed cleavage but two cleavage planes may be visible in some crystals. You can find the explanation on the alkali feldspar page. In general keys to identifying k feldspar are its lack of color its low birefringence and its twinning.
Add tags comment rate. In thin section microcline orthoclase and sanidine are distinguished by their twinning optical sign and 2vo. An iridescent play of light can result from optical interference inside some feldspars.
To link to this object paste this link in email im or document to embed this object paste this html in website. Small 250x250 max. Some specimens of labradorite exhibit a schiller effect which is a strong play of iridescent blue green red orange and yellow colors when moved under a source of incident light.
The amateur has a few clues. Moonstone is a name given to a gem material that consists of very thin alternating layers of orthoclase an alkali feldspar and albite a plagioclase feldspar. In thin section alkali feldspar grains often look like they re sprinkled with dirt ppl or tiny confetti xpl.