Soft white metal, silvery when cut but reacts rapidly with
oxygen and vigorously with water. Metal obtained from NaCl + KCl at 1100
K. Used in fertilizers, chemicals, and glass.
Diagnostic tests:
In solution, a potassium will give a violet flame test
color. This flame test will be contaminated with the colors of the
other alkaline elements which are present in the sample. The test is best
observed through a blue filter or Glass blowers Didymium Safety Glasses
to suppress the yellow sodium flame.
References
Emsley, J., 1991; THE ELEMENTS : Sec. Ed.,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 251 p.
(* - Mineral Name Is Not IMA Approved)
(! - New Dana classification added or changed from Danas New Mineralogy)
(? - IMA Discredited Mineral Species Name)
There are 580 minerals with K in the Mineralogy Database.