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tricliniccommonsilicates
Albite
NaAlSi3O8
Albite typically forms tabular or blocky crystals, often twinned, with a white to colorless appearance and a vitreous luster. In this specimen, it appears as white to translucent crystals associated with darker minerals.
Albite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
6.5Crystal System
triclinicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect on {001} and {010}, good on {110}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
2.62Colors
white, colorless, pale yellow, pink, green, blueTransparency
transparentType Locality
Minas Gerais, BrazilMineral Group
silicatesUses
ceramics, glass, abrasive, gemstone, collectorAssociated Minerals
titanite, epidote, quartz, micaRarity
commonGeological Context
Albite is a common rock-forming mineral found in various igneous rocks, including granites and pegmatites, as well as in metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses. It is the sodium end-member of the plagioclase feldspar solid solution series.
