Feldspar Photos  
Cochise College               
Photos of Minerals
Virtual Geology Museum      Hall of Minerals

Geology Home Page

Roger Weller, geology instructor

wellerr@cochise.edu     copyright 2008-R.Weller

 
labradorite-schiller
Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar with a composition ranging from 50% to 70% albite feldspar
(the sodium end member of the plagioclase family) and 50% to 70% anorthite (the calcium end
member).  One of the special identifying characteristics of labradorite is a spectacular display of
colors when the mineral is viewed at certain angles; this property is referred to as "schiller". 
Schiller is largely due to the interference of light caused by the reflection from thin lamellar
inclusions of various minerals.  Blue and green are the most common colors, but red, yellow, and
gray are also common.

 

feldspar
Photo is copyright free for non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.