Anorthite (uh-nore-thyte) is a widely distributed rock-forming mineral but a rare and obscure gemstone! It usually occurs in grayish-white colors with hints of red or pale orange and has a grainy texture similar to moon-rock.
Does that mean anorthite has lunar roots? Kind of! Anorthite occurs in mafic (iron- and magnesium-rich) igneous rocks. The mineral is rare on the Earth but abundant on the moon. It’s even been found in meteorites! Far out, right?
Is anorthite a plagioclase? Yes! In fact, anorthite plagioclase may be the rarest of the plagioclase feldspar series.
Also referred to as the anorthite and albite system, this group of feldspar minerals all share similar formulas but vary in sodium and calcium content. Anorthite is the calcium-rich end member of the series.
So what is anorthite used for and where can you find it? Keep reading to learn all about anorthite’s uses, meanings, composition, value, and more in our Anorthite Gemstone Guide!
The mineral’s name derives from the Greek words an plus orthos, meaning “oblique” or "not straight" because the crystal’s faces meet at an oblique (slanted) angle. It’s sometimes referred to as “black moonstone.”
Anorthite (not to be confused with anorthosite) is a rare and hard-to-find semi-precious gemstone. Mostly ornamental, it’s a lesser-known crystal to those outside the realm of astute collectors and geologists.
What is the difference between anorthite and anorthosite anyway? Anorthite is a compositional variety of plagioclase that’s super rare on earth but widely abundant in moon rocks. On the other hand, anorthosite is an intrusive igneous rock characterized by a predominance of plagioclase feldspar and phaneritic texture (having visible crystals inside). Anorthite sometimes occurs within anorthosite.
While it’s not an official zodiac stone, it’s believed that anorthite suits the Leo and Scorpio signs in astrology.
Fun fact: manufacturers of glass and ceramics sometimes use anorthite during production.
Curious to know how you can identify anorthite? Let’s check out its mineral traits!
First, what is anorthite made up of? Anorthite has a chemical formula of CaAl2SiO8. It’s a calcium-aluminum silicate containing approximately 43% silica, 37% aluminum oxide, and 20% calcium. Possible impurities are iron, strontium, barium, titanium, and potassium.
Anorthite’s color usually varies between white and gray (sometimes reddish-orange) with a white to colorless streak. Typically, in a thin section, anorthite is colorless and appears sprinkled with confetti-like plagioclase feldspar grains.
Falling between 6 and 6 ½ on the Mohs hardness scale, anorthite is a semi-fragile mineral with a luster like frosted glass. It has an uneven shell-like fracture that’s translucent to opaque and looks almost muddy.
In nature, anorthite occurs in granular or solid mass forms, as well as prismatic crystals. During weathering, anorthite crystals lose their natural luster, developing a white coating and rougher surface (containing clay mixture and hydromica).
Here’s an overview of all the anorthite properties:
Mineral family: Feldspar
Composition: Calcium aluminum silicate
Mohs hardness: 6.0 to 6.5
Color: White, grayish, reddish; Colorless in thin section
Crystal structure: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Granular
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent to opaque; Rarely transparent
Refractive index: 1.57 – 1.59; Biaxial (–)
Density: 2.74 to 2.76
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, less so on {010}, imperfect on {110}
Fracture: Conchoidal to Uneven
Streak: Colorless
Luminescence: Fluorescence (Pale yellow in LW-UV; White in SW-UV)
Pleochroism: Present; Iridescent to colorless.
Scientists have synthesized anorthite for mineralogical research, but there’s no known jewelry use for synthetic anorthite.
Onto history!
Image credit: Lunar and Planetary Institute, Lunar Sample Atlas, Sample 62275; James Stuby based on NASA image
Anorthite was first discovered on Mount Vesuvius (Italy) by Gustav Rose, a German mineralogist, in 1823. He discovered fifteen new minerals in his lifetime — anorthite being the most significant.
Earlier, we mentioned that anorthite could be found on the moon. Well, it actually makes up much of its lunar highlands!
In 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and Jim Irwin brought back a hand sample of moon rock with a peculiar “little white corner.” The rock, now known as Genesis Rock, was made of anorthosite, and that little white corner turned out to be… you guessed it, anorthite!
Even though anorthite is a fairly abundant mineral, gem-quality specimens are hard to come by. One locality on Great Sitkin Island, Alaska, has yielded pale yellow gems as big as 8 cts — possibly the largest known to man!
Time to shift gears and dive into anorthite’s metaphysical healing abilities.
Pictured: Amazonite
Like most crystals, anorthite uses its energy and vibrations to support your physical, mental, and spiritual wellness — making it a powerful healing stone!
The anorthite gemstone meaning is synonymous with many members of the plagioclase feldspar group — like albite, amazonite, labradorite, moonstone, or sunstone, to name a few.
Most agree that anorthite, in particular, is a stone of restoration for the mind, body, and soul. Its ties to the moon are also associated with the divine feminine and goddess energy.
Let’s explore how you can harness anorthite’s metaphysical properties to serve you!
Physically, what is anorthite used for? Its restorative energies may help ease pain, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. It can also help with restoring mental clarity and logical thinking.
For women, anorthite can be especially supportive. Its feminine energy is said to help relieve menstrual pains such as cramps and body aches, as well as soothe the flow of blood.
Emotionally, anorthite is believed to boost your confidence, determination, and self-worth. It supports those healing from emotional traumas by allowing you to regain your energy from the surface deep down to your subconscious.
Anorthite’s goddess energy also inspires women to embrace their femininity and power to create life. Anorthite passes its feminine vibrations to you — making you feel like a divine, feminine goddess. How’s that for a confidence boost?
Some gems are especially attuned to one of seven chakras (energy points) along your body. These chakra stones help activate or balance your chakral body, keeping you in a constant state of flow.
Anorthite’s associations to restoration and awakened freedom are believed to resonate with your third eye chakra. Meditating with anorthite can activate your third eye to encourage truth, flexibility, clarity, and deeper consciousness.
Now that we know how anorthite can upgrade your overall wellness, let’s learn how the gems are graded!
As abundant as the material is, pure anorthite is extremely rare and hard to come by. That’s because it weathers quite easily. If you do happen to get your hands on some, gems are generally graded by the industry-standard categories of color, cut, clarity, and weight (in carats for gems and size dimensions for rough, uncut specimens).
Anorthite is typically sold uncut and appears in dusty black, white, and sometimes reddish hues due to iron impurities.
When cut to a gem, it can appear milky white, yellow, red, pink, or colorless. They are almost never transparent.
Because of the gem’s rarity, color doesn’t seem to impact price all that much.
Pure anorthite is mostly a collector’s crystal, usually sold rough. It has a rigid, granular, and sometimes bubbly texture.
When used as a gem, anorthite is rarely cut en cabochon. More often, anorthite is faceted, but gems are typically quite small as a result of their obscurity.
As a semi-fragile stone, protective settings in jewelry are recommended.
Anorthite crystals are rarely transparent, making gem-quality specimens (with good transparency) even rarer.
Some gems have high clarity, while others are more moderate. When cut, they are usually moderately included, meaning they have some visible inclusions.
Fancy cuts of anorthite tend to stay under around 4 cts.
On the other hand, rough anorthite can be sold in specimens as large as 6 cm. The bigger the gem, the higher the price.
Wondering how anorthite is formed? That’s next!
Image credit: Anorthite — exposed in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada
Anorthite is a rare compositional variety of plagioclase feldspar occurring in mafic igneous rocks. It also occurs in granulite facies, metamorphic rocks, metamorphosed carbonate rocks, and corundum deposits.
How does it get to the moon, though? It’s all thanks to plagioclase flotation in the lunar magma ocean (or so the hypothesis goes).
In other words, scientists theorize that anorthite formed when feldspar crystallized and floated to the top of a magma ocean surrounding the moon after it formed.
Anorthite moon rocks are thought to be about 4 billion years old!
So where is anorthite found today?
Compared to the moon, anorthite is uncommon here on earth, but you can find it in a handful of localities. Aside from the moon, anorthite occurs in:
The lavas of Mount Vesuvius (Italy)
Several localities across Japan
A few localities in the USA
Ready to splurge on your own anorthite? Let’s talk pricing!
Pictured: Labradorite
As you’ve learned, anorthite is extremely rare. You’re more likely to find other feldspars occurring with anorthite. If perchance you find some anorthite for sale, here’s what to expect price-wise.
Rough anorthite, which is mostly ornamental, can vary in price. Most of the time, larger crystals fetch higher prices. However, anorthite also seems to fetch higher prices the older it is — sort of like wine!
For instance, some rough anorthite can cost between $3.05 to $15 per gram. However, some specimens (like one from 1870 Japan) cost as much as $70 per gram.
Despite its rarity, anorthite jewelry is generally inexpensive. Cabochons start at approximately $0.30 per carat. Faceted cuts, which are rarer, range between $42.72 to $62.20 per carat.
Now that you’re ready to snag your own anorthite, let’s go over gemstone care!
Taking care of your anorthite will ensure you get the most life out of your crystal!
When cleaning your anorthite, run them under warm water. Use a gentle soap or detergent and a soft brush to remove grime.
To prolong your anorthite’s lifespan, avoid letting your gem come into contact with:
Ultrasonic cleaners
Steam cleaners
Abrasive chemicals
Harder minerals
Extreme changes in temperature
If you’re rockin’ some anorthite jewelry, remove it before partaking in any impact-prone activities (e.g. exercise, gardening, cleaning, etc.) To be safe, store your gems in a fabric-lined box or soft pouch away from other gems for extra security.
Are you searching for a powerful crystal that holds the key to unleashing your divine femininity? Or simply looking for an obscure stone to add to your crystal collection? Anorthite’s lunar look and mystifying background will captivate you and anyone who feels its energy.
Bring a little intergalactic mystery into your home with anorthite!
鈣長石 (uh-nore-thyte) 是一種分佈廣泛的造岩礦物,但卻是一種稀有且鮮為人知的寶石!它通常呈灰白色,略帶紅色或淡橙色,並具有類似於月岩的顆粒狀紋理。
這是否意味著鈣長石有月球根源?有點兒!鈣長石出現在鎂鐵質(富含鐵和鎂)火成岩中。這種礦物在地球上很稀有,但在月球上卻很豐富。它甚至在隕石中被發現!很遠,對吧?
鈣長石是斜長石嗎?是的!事實上,鈣長石斜長石可能是斜長石系列中最稀有的一種。
也稱為鈣長石和鈉長石系統,這組長石礦物都具有相似的配方,但鈉和鈣含量不同。鈣長石是該系列中富含鈣的最終成員。
那麼鈣長石的用途是什麼?在哪裡可以找到它?繼續閱讀我們的鈣長石寶石指南,了解鈣長石的用途、含義、成分、價值等所有信息!
這種礦物的名稱源自希臘語an plus orthos ,意思是“傾斜的”或“不直的”,因為晶體的表面以傾斜(傾斜)角相交。它有時被稱為“黑色月光石”。
斜長石(不要與斜長石混淆)是一種稀有且難以找到的半寶石。主要用於裝飾,對於精明的收藏家和地質學家領域之外的人來說,它是一種鮮為人知的水晶。
無論如何,鈣長石和斜長石有什麼區別?鈣長石是斜長石的一種成分變體,在地球上極為稀有,但在月球岩石中含量豐富。另一方面,斜長岩是一種侵入性火成岩,其特徵是斜長石和顯輝岩結構(內部有可見晶體)佔優勢。斜長石有時出現在斜長石中。
雖然它不是官方的生肖石,但據信鈣長石適合占星術中的獅子座和天蠍座。
有趣的事實:玻璃和陶瓷製造商有時會在生產過程中使用鈣長石。
想知道如何識別鈣長石?讓我們來看看它的礦物特性吧!
首先,鈣長石是由什麼組成的?鈣長石的化學式為 CaAl2SiO8。它是一種鈣鋁矽酸鹽,含有大約 43% 的二氧化矽、37% 的氧化鋁和 20% 的鈣。可能的雜質有鐵、鍶、鋇、鈦和鉀。
鈣長石的顏色通常在白色和灰色(有時是紅橙色)之間變化,帶有白色到無色的條紋。通常,在薄切片中,鈣長石是無色的,並且看起來撒有五彩紙屑狀的斜長石顆粒。
鈣長石的莫氏硬度介於 6 和 6 ½ 之間,是一種半脆性礦物,具有磨砂玻璃般的光澤。它有一個不均勻的貝殼狀裂縫,從半透明到不透明,看起來幾乎是泥濘的。
在自然界中,鈣長石以顆粒狀或固體塊狀以及棱柱狀晶體形式存在。在風化過程中,鈣長石晶體會失去其自然光澤,形成白色塗層和更粗糙的表面(含有粘土混合物和水雲母)。
以下是所有鈣長石特性的概述:
礦物家族:長石
成分:矽酸鈣鋁
莫氏硬度:6.0 至 6.5
顏色: 白色, 灰色, 紅色;薄片無色
晶體結構: 三斜晶系
晶習: 顆粒狀
光澤: 玻璃光澤
透明度:半透明到不透明;很少透明
折射率:1.57 – 1.59;雙軸 (–)
密度:2.74 至 2.76
乳溝:{001} 完美,{010} 不完美,{110} 不完美
斷口:貝殼狀到不均勻
條紋:無色
發光:熒光(LW-UV 中為淡黃色;SW-UV 中為白色)
多色性:存在;彩虹色至無色。
科學家已合成鈣長石用於礦物學研究,但合成鈣長石尚無已知的珠寶用途。
載入史冊!
圖片來源:月球與行星研究所,月球樣本圖集,樣本 62275; James Stuby 基於 NASA 圖片
鈣長石於 1823 年由德國礦物學家古斯塔夫·羅斯 (Gustav Rose) 在維蘇威火山(意大利)首次發現。他一生中發現了 15 種新礦物,其中鈣長石最為重要。
早些時候,我們提到可以在月球上找到鈣長石。好吧,它實際上構成了月球高地的大部分!
1971 年,阿波羅 15 號宇航員大衛·斯科特和吉姆·歐文帶回了一塊帶有奇特“小白角”的月球岩石手樣本。這塊岩石,現在被稱為創世紀岩,是由鈣長石製成的,那個白色的小角原來是……你猜對了,鈣長石!
儘管鈣長石是一種相當豐富的礦物,但寶石品質的標本卻很難獲得。阿拉斯加大錫特金島的一個地方出產了重達 8 克拉的淡黃色寶石——可能是人類已知的最大寶石!
是時候換檔並深入了解鈣長石的形而上學治療能力了。
圖為:亞馬遜石
像大多數水晶一樣,鈣長石利用其能量和振動來支持您的身體、心理和精神健康——使其成為一種強大的治療石!
鈣長石寶石的含義與斜長石組的許多成員同義,例如鈉長石、天河石、拉長石、月光石或日光石等。
大多數人認為,鈣長石尤其是心靈、身體和靈魂的恢復之石。它與月亮的聯繫也與神聖的女性和女神能量有關。
讓我們探索如何利用鈣長石的形而上學特性為您服務!
從物理上講,鈣長石的用途是什麼?它的恢復能量可能有助於緩解疼痛、降低血壓和促進放鬆。它還可以幫助恢復頭腦清晰和邏輯思維。
對於女性,鈣長石尤其具有支持作用。據說它的女性能量有助於緩解月經疼痛,如痙攣和身體疼痛,以及舒緩血液流動。
在情感上,鈣長石被認為可以增強您的信心、決心和自我價值。它通過讓您從表面深處恢復潛意識中的能量來支持那些從情緒創傷中康復的人。
Anorthite 的女神能量也激勵女性擁抱她們的女性氣質和創造生活的力量。鈣長石將其女性氣質傳遞給您——讓您感覺自己像一位神聖的女性女神。這對增強信心有何幫助?
有些寶石特別適合您身體的七個脈輪(能量點)之一。這些脈輪石有助於激活或平衡您的脈輪體,讓您始終處於流動狀態。
Anorthite 與恢復和喚醒自由的聯繫被認為與您的第三隻眼脈輪產生共鳴。用鈣長石進行冥想可以激活您的第三隻眼,以鼓勵真理、靈活性、清晰度和更深刻的意識。
現在我們知道鈣長石如何提升您的整體健康,讓我們了解寶石的分級方式!
儘管材料豐富,但純鈣長石極為稀有且難以獲得。那是因為它很容易風化。如果您碰巧接觸到一些寶石,通常會按照行業標準的顏色、切工、淨度和重量類別對寶石進行分級(寶石以克拉為單位,原石、未切割樣品以尺寸為單位)。
鈣長石通常未經切割出售,呈現灰黑色、白色,有時由於鐵雜質而呈現微紅色調。
當切割成寶石時,它會呈現乳白色、黃色、紅色、粉紅色或無色。它們幾乎從不透明。
由於寶石的稀有性,顏色似乎對價格影響不大。
純鈣長石主要是收藏家的水晶,通常以原石出售。它具有堅硬的、顆粒狀的、有時是氣泡狀的質地。
當用作寶石時,鈣長石很少被切割成凸圓形。更常見的是,鈣長石是刻面的,但由於不知名,寶石通常非常小。
作為一種半易碎寶石,建議在珠寶中進行保護設置。
鈣長石晶體很少是透明的,這使得寶石品質的標本(具有良好的透明度)更加罕見。
一些寶石的淨度很高,而另一些則比較中等。切割時,它們通常含有適度的內含物,這意味著它們有一些可見的內含物。
花式切割的鈣長石往往保持在 4 克拉左右以下。
另一方面,鈣長石原石可以以 6 厘米大的標本出售。寶石越大,價格越高。
想知道鈣長石是如何形成的?接下來是!
圖片來源:Anorthite——陳列於加拿大多倫多皇家安大略博物館
鈣長石是一種罕見的斜長石成分變體,出現在基性火成岩中。也產於麻粒岩相、變質岩、變質碳酸鹽岩、剛玉礦床中。
但是,它是如何到達月球的呢?這全都歸功於月球岩漿海洋中的斜長石漂浮(或者假設是這樣)。
換句話說,科學家推測鈣長石是在長石結晶後形成的,並在月球形成後漂浮到環繞月球的岩漿海洋頂部。
鈣長石月球岩石被認為大約有 40 億年的歷史!
那麼今天在哪裡發現鈣長石?
與月球相比,鈣長石在地球上並不常見,但您可以在少數地方找到它。除月球外,鈣長石還存在於:
維蘇威火山熔岩(意大利)
日本各地
美國的一些地方
準備好揮霍自己的鈣長石了嗎?讓我們談談定價!
圖為:拉長石
如您所知,鈣長石極為稀有。您更有可能發現與鈣長石一起出現的其他長石。如果您偶然發現一些鈣長石待售,以下是價格方面的預期。
鈣長石原石主要用於裝飾,價格可能會有所不同。大多數時候,更大的晶體能賣到更高的價格。然而,鈣長石似乎也越陳越貴——有點像葡萄酒!
例如,一些鈣長石原石的價格在每克 3.05 美元到 15 美元之間。然而,一些標本(例如 1870 年日本的標本)的價格高達每克 70 美元。
儘管稀有,鈣長石首飾通常價格不貴。凸圓形寶石的起價約為每克拉 0.30 美元。刻面切割較為罕見,價格在每克拉 42.72 美元至 62.20 美元之間。
現在您已準備好購買您自己的鈣長石,讓我們來看看寶石護理吧!
照顧好您的鈣長石將確保您從水晶中獲得最大的生命力!
清潔鈣長石時,請用溫水沖洗它們。使用溫和的肥皂或清潔劑和軟刷去除污垢。
要延長鈣長石的使用壽命,請避免讓您的寶石接觸:
超聲波清洗機
蒸汽清潔器
研磨化學品
較硬的礦物質
極端的溫度變化
如果您喜歡鈣長石首飾,請在參加任何容易產生衝擊的活動(例如鍛煉、園藝、清潔等)之前將其取下。為安全起見,請將您的寶石存放在織物襯裡的盒子或軟袋中,遠離其他物品寶石以提供額外的安全性。
您是否正在尋找一種強大的水晶來掌握釋放您神聖女性氣質的鑰匙?或者只是在尋找一顆不起眼的寶石來添加到您的水晶收藏中?鈣長石的月球外觀和神秘的背景會讓您和任何感受到它能量的人著迷。
用鈣長石為您的家帶來一點星際之謎!
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