Adularia ("Faden")

Item Description

Alpine localities are well known for producing superb Adularia specimens, but to find a "Faden" Adularia is rather rare when it comes to this fairly common Feldspar. Adularia is actually a variety of K-Feldspar (usually Orthoclase), and is most commonly associated with metamorphic deposits such as those in the Alps. This specimen hosts several gemmy to translucent, white/colorless, tabular, lustrous crystals of Adularia in a beautiful "Faden" growth. There are actually more than one "Faden" on the piece! "Faden" is the German word for string, and the term is most often applied to Epidote or Quartz specimens where the crystals have grown around and over a thin "string"-like mineral (typically some kind of Amphibole), creating a distinctive growth line through the specimen. A very showy "Faden" Adularia, and great quality to boot! A dusting of moss-green Clinochlore ("Chlorite") gives the piece excellent character. Priced at $550.