Moonstone and Herderite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Not Available
Solubility
Not Available
Not Available
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.56-2.60
2.90-3.02
Fracture
Uneven, Uneven, ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Subconchoidal, ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009), Conchoidal, Brittle
Cleavage
2,1 basal ; 2,1 prismatic ; 3,1 pinacoidal
Indistinct on {110}
Mohs Hardness
6-6.5
5-5.5
Chemical Composition
Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
CaBePO 4(F,OH)Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
Moonstone and Herderite Chemical Formula
While comparing Moonstone and Herderite 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 Herderite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Moonstone- Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
- Chemical formula of Herderite- CaBePO 4(F,OH)Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
Moonstone and Herderite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Moonstone and Herderite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Moonstone and Herderite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Moonstone is 2.90-3.02 whereas that of Herderite is 2.90-3.02.