Moonstone and Austinite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Brittle
Solubility
Not Available
Easily soluble in cold dilute HCl
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.56-2.60
4.12
Fracture
Uneven, Uneven, ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Brittle, Uneven, Brittle, Uneven
Cleavage
2,1 basal ; 2,1 prismatic ; 3,1 pinacoidal
Good in two directions parallel to the prism faces {110}
Mohs Hardness
6-6.5
4-4.5
Chemical Composition
Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Moonstone and Austinite Chemical Formula
While comparing Moonstone and Austinite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Moonstone and Austinite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Moonstone- Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
- Chemical formula of Austinite- CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Moonstone and Austinite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Moonstone and Austinite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Moonstone and Austinite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Moonstone is 4.12 whereas that of Austinite is 4.12.