Exsolution in ternary feldspars

The equilibrium precipitate formed by exsolution in alkali feldspar containing calcium in solid solution is a two-phase intergrowth of plagioclase and quartz. It is the kinetics of the precipitation, however, which decides whether or not this reaction will take place. It is shown that lamellar growth of plagioclase and quartz is only accomplished by the advancement of an incoherent boundary originating at an alkali feldspar — alkali feldspar boundary or at an interface between alkali feldspar and plagioclase.