What is Feldspar?
Feldspar is the name given to a group of naturally occurring alumino-silicate minerals containing varying amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium and/or lithium. The feldspar group of minerals is by far the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth’s crust, making up about 50% of all rocks.
Geology
Feldspar minerals are essential components in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, to such an extent that the classification of a number of rocks is based on their feldspar content. Although highly present in igneous rocks like granite, commercial feldspar is generally mined from pegmatite or feldspathic sand deposits. Pegmatites are rocks composed of several minerals — usually potassium feldspar, quartz and kaolin.
Physical properties
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High alumina and alkali content
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High potassium content
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Low iron content
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Chemical inertness
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pH stable
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Consistent hardness (6-6.5 on Mohs scale)
- Ceramics
- Glassmaking
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Ceramics
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Glassmaking
