mikroklini

Mikroklini is not an established standalone term in standard mineralogy or geology. In many contexts it may be a transliteration variant of microcline, the potassium feldspar mineral. The internationally accepted form is microcline; mikroklini can appear in some Turkish-language or regional texts as an alternative spelling.

Microcline is a tectosilicate mineral with the chemical formula KAlSi3O8. It is one of the alkali feldspar end-members and is considered a low-temperature polymorph of sanidine, distinct from orthoclase. It crystallizes in the triclinic system and commonly forms large, well-shaped crystals in granitic rocks and pegmatites. Color ranges from white to pink, gray, or greenish, and the mineral typically has a vitreous luster. Microcline is known for its characteristic twinning, including Carlsbad and other forms, which can impart a distinctive grid-like texture in hand specimens or thin sections.

In geology and industry, microcline serves as an important source of potassium and is a common constituent of granite, granite pegmatite, and other felsic rocks. It is also used in some ceramic and glass applications, where feldspar minerals provide flux and bulk material. The name microcline derives from Greek roots meaning “small slope,” reflecting historical naming tied to its feldspar family and crystal characteristics.

See also: microcline, feldspar, alkali feldspar.