Sunstone and Opal Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
  
BrittleWalter Schumann
  
Solubility
Not Available
  
hot salt water
  
Durability
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Specific Gravity
2.62-2.65
  
1.98-2.25
  
Fracture
Gemstones of the world (2001)
  
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references, Brittle
  
Cleavage
001
  
None
  
Mohs Hardness
6
  
5-6.5
  
Chemical Composition
Microcline: KAlSi3O8 Oligoclase: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8
  
SiO2 · nH2O
  
Sunstone and Opal Chemical Formula
While comparing Sunstone and Opal 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 Opal chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Sunstone- Microcline: KAlSi3O8 Oligoclase: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8
- Chemical formula of Opal- SiO2 · nH2O
Sunstone and Opal Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Sunstone and Opal Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Sunstone and Opal Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Sunstone is 1.98-2.25 whereas that of Opal is 1.98-2.25.