Sanidine Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Comments

Sanidine is a mineral of volcanic rocks, with little gem significance. It is uncommon and rarely seen as a gem. While occasionally brown or yellow, most examples are colorless. While the properties are closer to microcline, it is usually classed as a plagioclase.

Name

Sanidine is also from the Greek, sanis, meaning board, in reference to the tabular crystals. Anorthoclase is from Greek words for not upright because the cleavage is not 90°.

Occurrence

• A component of acid igneous rocks. Oregon; California.
• Near Koblenz, Germany: brown transparent gems; S.G. 2.57-2.58; birefringence 0.007; indices: 1.516-1.520/ 1.520-1.525/1.522-1.526.
• Ashton, Idaho: sanidine crystals in volcanic luff, up to 1 cm, colorless, well formed. Indices: 1.516-1.519/ 1.520-1.522/1.521-1.523; 2V=8-19°; birefringence 0.003-0.005.

Stone Sizes

Sanidine is not a common mineral and is hardly ever seen as a gemstone. Crystals tend to be colorless and nondescript and are rare in cuttable sizes.

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.

Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com

View All Articles