About Albite
A sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar, typically white or colorless, often forming tabular or platy (Clevelandite) crystals. It's associated with mental clarity, stimulating intuition, and encouraging confident self-expression.
Primary Hues
White, Colorless, Grey, Bluish, Greenish, Reddish
Geological & Scientific Details
Albite is classified as a tectosilicate minerals, feldspar group, plagioclase series mineral which typically crystallizes in the triclinic system. Its chemical formula is NaAlSi3O8. Common crystal habits include crystals commonly tabular, divergent aggregates, granular, cleavable massive.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Tectosilicate minerals, feldspar group, plagioclase series
- Chemical Formula: NaAlSi3O8
- IMA Symbol: Ab[1]
- Crystal System: Triclinic
- Predominant Geological Color: White to gray, blueish, greenish, reddish; may be chatoyant
- Crystal Habit: Crystals commonly tabular, divergent aggregates, granular, cleavable massive
- Twinning: Common giving polysynthetic striae on {001} or {010} also contact, simple and multiple
- Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, very good on {010}, imperfect on {110}
- Luster: Vitreous, typically pearly on cleavages
- Streak: White
- Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent
Associated Minerals
- Albite
- Feldspar
- Oligoclase
- Andesine
- Labradorite
- Bytownite
- Anorthite
- Orthoclase
- Microcline
- Sanidine
- Quartz
- Muscovite
- Tourmaline