Comparison · Silicate Minerals
Microcline vs Tremolite
Microcline and Tremolite are easy to confuse because both are silicate minerals. Both sit near Mohs 6, 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 Microcline and Tremolite
- Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Microcline is triclinic, Tremolite is monoclinic.
Microcline vs Tremolite properties
| Property | Microcline | Tremolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Silicate Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6 | 5.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.56 | 3 |
| Crystal system | triclinic | monoclinic |
| Common colors | White, Cream, Pink, Green, Gray | White, Gray, Green, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$300+ | $8–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Microcline and Tremolite trade in a similar range, around $40.
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.
About Tremolite
Tremolite is a calcium magnesium amphibole that occurs as bladed, columnar, or fibrous crystals, typically white to gray but ranging to green or pink. It is a common metamorphic mineral and the magnesium end-member of the tremolite-actinolite series.
Microcline vs Tremolite FAQ
Is Microcline the same as Tremolite?
No. Both are silicate minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Microcline from Tremolite?
Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Well-formed crystals give it away: Microcline is triclinic, Tremolite is monoclinic.
Which is harder, Microcline or Tremolite?
Microcline is harder: Mohs 6 against Mohs 5.5 for Tremolite.
Which is more valuable, Microcline or Tremolite?
Typical specimens of Microcline and Tremolite trade in a similar range, around $40.
