The most famous stone is Feldspar - where is the mineral distributed, what are its healing and magical properties, photo of the stone, mineral and zodiac

Feldspar is the most common mineral on Earth. Its reserves exceed 10 quintillion tons. It makes up half the mass of the earth's crust. But do not think that in this case there is nothing unusual in it. Among the spars there are very beautiful varieties, since various impurities can give it shades of various colors.

History and origin of the name

We owe the origin of the word "feldspar" to the Germans. "Feldtspat" turned out to be a hybrid of the Swedish "Feldt" - "arable land, field" and "Spat", meaning "bar". It is in Sweden in the fields that spar is found in the form of bars. The name of the mineral was given by the mineralogist Tilas in 1740.

Man's acquaintance with spar took place as early as the Paleolithic period, since it can be found in the form of pebbles. Spar is easily split into plates due to perfect cleavage, therefore it is very convenient for making primitive tools.

Feldspars are widely used in the ceramic and glass industries, some of them are used as insulators in electrical engineering and as a flux in metallurgy, as an ore for obtaining rubidium and as an ornamental stone.

Place of Birth

Feldspar has a different chemical composition and appearance depending on the deposit. Mining is carried out in open pits.

This rock-forming mineral is found on all continents and is part of many rocks. Feldspar with quartz and mica form granite. Spar is formed during volcanic eruptions.

Many of the varieties of feldspar, due to their beautiful appearance, are used as ornamental and facing material.

Orthoclase of a very beautiful yellow color is mined in Madagascar.
Moonstones are found in Sri Lanka, the USA, Burma, Ukraine and near the White Sea.
Iridescent black labradorites are common in Greenland, on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, as well as in the USA and Ukraine.
Green amazonites are mined on the Kola Peninsula and in Transbaikalia, in Brazil and Australia.
The best heliotropes with red inclusions are found in Sri Lanka.
Gem-quality aventurine oligoclases are found in southern Norway, India, Karelia, the Urals, and the Baikal region.

All these gems are varieties of feldspar.

Physical Properties

Feldspars, depending on the composition and variety, have a hardness of 5 to 6.5, their luster is glassy. The color can be white, bluish, yellowish, pink, almost black, depending on impurities. There are stones with iridescence, which manifests itself in the form of iridescent radiance.

Density 2.6 g/cm3. Well polished. Refractive index 1.55-1.66.

Chemical properties and composition

Feldspar is a mixed silicate of aluminum and other elements and has the general chemical formula {K, Na, Ca, sometimes Ba}{Al2Si2 or AlSi3}O8.They are solid solutions formed by the three extreme representatives of the isomorphic series.

Orthoclase K[AlSi3O8] is designated Or and belongs to the group of potassium feldspars. Albite Na[AlSi3O8] is designated Ar, and anorthite Ca[AlSi3O8] is designated An.

Calcium can be partially or completely replaced by barium. Such spars are called hyalophanes. Aluminum can also be replaced by gallium, and silicon by germanium.

Varieties

Depending on the content of the extreme members of the isomorphic series in feldspar, alkali feldspars or anorthoclases are distinguished, containing mainly orthoclase and albite, and plagioclases, consisting mainly of orthoclase and anorthite.

Plagioclases include andesite, labradorite, bytonite, and anorthoclases include adularia (moonstone), oligoclase, bytonite, and amazonite.

Of the plagioclases, the Labrador Retriever stands out. This is a black stone with bluish, blue or golden highlights that appear from a certain angle of view. Columns were carved out of them, and now buildings, underground passages and metro stations are trimmed with them. Use it in jewelry.

Adularia is a translucent stone with iridescence of milky white, bluish or yellowish color with iridescence, which manifests itself in the form of a mother-of-pearl reflection. For a cold glow, reminiscent of moonlight, the gem got its name. The name adularia comes from the Adula mountains in Switzerland. The best moonstones are found high in the mountains, often in caves. And the higher the mountain, the better the quality. The largest are found in the Irkutsk region, but their quality is low. In the Urals, there are adularia with gold and silver nanoparticles.

Oligoclases have a pastel color and can be white, pinkish, yellowish, greenish, pale orange.The sun stone looks very impressive, glowing from the inside with golden sparks due to inclusions of mica and hematite.

Amazonites have white stripes on a green background and look very impressive.

Potassium feldspars are represented by orthoclase, adularia, microcline and sanidine, which differ in the degree of ordering of the crystal structure.

In pegmatites, there are very spectacular intergrowths of feldspar (microcline) and quartz, called "written granite" or "Jewish stone" because of the pattern, similar to Hebrew writing.

Barium-containing hyalophanes are rare. The extreme member of the series is Celsian Ba[Al2Si2O8], which is a desirable prey for collectors. This variety of feldspar is the heaviest, its density is 3.3 g/cm3.

fakes

Of all the feldspars, moonstone is the most commonly counterfeited and can be quite expensive. For fakes use glass or plastic. Can be distinguished by light. Adularia shimmers inside with iridescent radiance. It is almost impossible to fake such a game. If in doubt, hold it in your hand. The moonstone will stay cool, while the plastic or glass will heat up quickly. In addition, this stone feels like silk to the touch.

They also fake a sun stone. You can also distinguish by the speed of heating. Fake will quickly become warm. Well, the fake sparks are too big.

It is impossible to fake labradorite, but this happens with amazonite. You can distinguish it in the same way, holding it in your hand.

magical properties

Feldspar reveals abilities, helps to focus on important matters, helps in career growth.

If you give a gift to a person who is in conflict with you, then the quarrel will stop and you will quickly come to a compromise.This magical property of feldspar has been known since antiquity. Unlike other gifts, feldspar can be re-gifted, in which case it will serve someone else to establish a peaceful harmonious relationship.

Medicinal properties

The healing properties of feldspar depend on the type of stone. Each of them has its own scope.

Adularia and orthoclase have a beneficial effect primarily on the nervous system. They relieve epilepsy and other seizures.
Albit will help with renal and hepatic colic.
Labrador will relieve problems with joints and kidneys, has a calming effect.
Amazonite will restore youthfulness to the skin, help to cope with stress, relieve pain in the heart and strengthen blood vessels.

Zodiac signs

Feldspars fit most of the signs of the zodiac related to the elements of Water and Air.

Cancers will not only find the strength in themselves to achieve the fulfillment of their cherished dream, but they will also find faithful helpers for this.
Scorpios will cope with professional problems with the help of spar, and will also gain support from their superiors.
Pisces will be able to find mutual understanding with any people with whom they need to establish contact.
Taurus will get rid of fears and phobias with the help of feldspar.
Virgos will be able to find a new sphere of application of their forces and a new job to their liking.
For Capricorns, spar will give an abundance of admirers, among whom they will be able to have their only one.

stone care

Feldspars must not be cleaned mechanically. You can wash with soapy water, then rinse with clean water and dry by wiping with a soft cloth or napkin.

Before going to the gym or to the beach, jewelry should be removed. This is especially true of amazonite, which cannot stand human sweat and exposure to the sun.It is worth removing rings and bracelets before washing the floor or dishes, as the stones can absorb dirt.