Comparison · Silicate Minerals
Leucite vs Microcline
Leucite and Microcline are easy to confuse because both are silicate minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Leucite and Microcline
- Both sit near Mohs 5.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- They overlap in gray, but Leucite also comes in clear and yellow and Microcline also comes in white, pink, and green.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Leucite is tetragonal, Microcline is triclinic.
Leucite vs Microcline properties
| Property | Leucite | Microcline |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Silicate Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.75 | 6 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.5 | 2.56 |
| Crystal system | tetragonal | triclinic |
| Common colors | White, Gray, Colorless, Pale yellow | White, Cream, Pink, Green, Gray |
| Rarity | uncommon | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$180+ | $5–$300+ |
Which is more valuable?
Microcline is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $40 against $35 for Leucite, and premium Microcline can reach $300 or more.
About Leucite
Leucite is a potassium aluminum silicate feldspathoid that typically forms distinctive rounded, near-spherical trapezohedral crystals. It is white to gray and occurs as phenocrysts in potassium-rich volcanic rocks.
About Microcline
Microcline is a potassium-rich feldspar and a rock-forming mineral in granites and pegmatites. Its blue-green gem variety, amazonite, is widely collected, while ordinary microcline appears as cream, pink, or gray crystals and masses.
Leucite vs Microcline FAQ
Is Leucite the same as Microcline?
No. Both are silicate minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Leucite from Microcline?
Both sit near Mohs 5.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. They overlap in gray, but Leucite also comes in clear and yellow and Microcline also comes in white, pink, and green. Well-formed crystals give it away: Leucite is tetragonal, Microcline is triclinic.
Which is harder, Leucite or Microcline?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.75.
Which is more valuable, Leucite or Microcline?
Microcline is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $40 against $35 for Leucite, and premium Microcline can reach $300 or more.
