Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
tricliniccommonSilicates
Albite
NaAlSi3O8
The image shows a specimen of white to off-white, blocky albite crystals, some with a slightly pearly luster, intergrown with clear, glassy quartz crystals.
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, grayTransparency
transparentType Locality
Taquaral, Itinga, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, BrazilMineral Group
SilicatesUses
ceramics, glass, minor gemstone, collectorAssociated Minerals
quartz, tourmaline, beryl, muscoviteRarity
commonGeological Context
Albite is a common rock-forming mineral found in various igneous rocks, particularly granites and pegmatites, as well as in metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal veins. It is the sodium end-member of the plagioclase feldspar solid solution series.
