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Alkali feldspar has the general formula (K,Na)AlSi3O8, but varies in crystal structure depending on the temperature it formed at. The formula actually is a blend ranging from all sodium (albite) to all potassium (microcline), but albite is also one endpoint in the plagioclase series so we classify albite there.

This mineral is often called potassium feldspar or K-feldspar, because by definition potassium always exceeds sodium in its formula. It comes in three different crystal structures that depend on the temperature it formed at.

Microcline is the stable form below about 400° C. Orthoclase is stable above 500° C and sanidine is stable above 900° C. In a plutonic rock that cooled very slowly to yield large mineral grains, it's safe to assume that this is microcline.

In the field, workers generally just write down "K-spar" and leave it at that until they can get to the laboratory. Alkali feldspar is generally white, buff or reddish and is not transparent, nor does it show the striations of plagioclase. A green feldspar is always microcline, the variety called amazonite.

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