Albite
Image: Raimond Spekking (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameAlbite
Chemical FormulaNaAlSi3O8
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemtriclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {001} and {010}, good on {110}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity2.62
Colorswhite, colorless, pale yellow, pink, green, blue
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityMinas Gerais, Brazil
Mineral Groupsilicates
Usesceramics, glass, abrasive, gemstone, collector
Associated Mineralstitanite, epidote, quartz, mica
Raritycommon
Description
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.
Geological 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.
