Sunstone and Moonstone Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Not Available
Solubility
Not Available
Not Available
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.62-2.65
2.56-2.60
Fracture
Gemstones of the world (2001)
Uneven, Uneven, ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Cleavage
001
2,1 basal ; 2,1 prismatic ; 3,1 pinacoidal
Chemical Composition
Microcline: KAlSi3O8 Oligoclase: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8
Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
Sunstone and Moonstone Chemical Formula
While comparing Sunstone and Moonstone 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 Sunstone and Moonstone chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Sunstone- Microcline: KAlSi3O8 Oligoclase: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8
- Chemical formula of Moonstone- Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
Sunstone and Moonstone Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Sunstone and Moonstone Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Sunstone and Moonstone Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Sunstone is 2.56-2.60 whereas that of Moonstone is 2.56-2.60.