Sanidine
Feldspar
Sanidine is a potassium-rich feldspar which is related to amazonite (microcline) and orthoclase by its chemistry. The name comes from the Greek sanis meaning “little plate” and idos that translates to “to see”. Specimens are not common and cutting grade material is hard to find. Carlsbad twining is common in mineral specimens. Sanidine gems that display adularescence, a mystical internal glow, are called moonstone. Colorless to yellow and pale brown gems have been found in Germany, Mexico, and Madagascar. Most larger gemstones come from Itrongay (Itrongahy), Madagascar.
General Information
LWUV: Inert to weak red-orange
Sanidine Colors
-
Brown -
Yellow -
Colorless
Countries of Origin
Myanmar; Niger (the); Cameroon; Papua New Guinea; Angola; Paraguay; Portugal; Oman; Armenia; Greece; Austria; Mongolia; Mozambique; El Salvador; Morocco; Unknown; Brazil; Algeria; Cabo Verde; Chile; Lesotho; Argentina; Iran (Islamic Republic of); United States of America (the); Hungary; Republic of Kosovo; Japan; Ukraine; Taiwan (Province of China); Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; New Zealand; Canada; Vanuatu; Turkey; Namibia; Finland; Honduras; Italy; South Africa; Antarctica; Peru; Ethiopia; Germany; Yemen; Tanzania, United Republic Of; Afghanistan; Eritrea; Viet Nam; Czechia; Guinea; Egypt; Chad; Madagascar; Thailand; Equatorial Guinea; Kiribati; Libya; Saudi Arabia; Sweden; Malawi; China; Russian Federation (the); Poland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Jordan; Serbia; United States Minor Outlying Islands (the); Comoros (the); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the); Romania; Syrian Arab Republic; Sri Lanka; Uzbekistan; Kenya; Switzerland; Spain; Djibouti; Azerbaijan; Nicaragua; Congo (the Democratic Republic of the); Denmark; Mexico; Uganda; Australia; Estonia; Indonesia
Care
Sanidine is brittle so gentle handling is recommended. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners.