Albite Archives - Cochise College Geology

Albite

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Chemical Group: Silicate (plagioclase feldspar)

Chemical Formula: NaAlSi₃O₈ (Albite is the sodium end member of the plagioclase feldspars. Albite ranges from 90% to 100% NaAlSi₃O₈and 10% to 0%CaAl₂Si₂O₈.)

Color: White; sometimes, pale blue, pale gray, pale red, pale green or green

Streak: Uncolored Luster: Vitreous, pearly Tenacity: Brittle

Hardness: 6 to 6.5 Specific Gravity: 2.60 to 2.62

Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal Transparency: Translucent to transparent

Cleavage: (001) perfect and (010) slightly less

Crystal Forms: Triclinic system. Crystals often tabular; sometimes elongated. Commonly shows polysynthetic (plagioclase) twinning.

Mineral habits: Massive, granular, lamellar (with curved surfaces)

Mineral Associations: Found in granite, syenite, diorite

Identifying Characteristics: White color, plagioclase twinning

Occurrences: Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado

Toxicity: When-swallowed: moderate When-inhaled: high

Additional Information: The name albite comes from albus, meaning white.

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Photos

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albite-white cleavage fragment — Albite White Cleavage Fragment

Albite-White Massive — Albite White Massive

albite-light gray-plagioclase twinning striations-close view — Albite Light Gray Plagioclase Twinning Striations Close View

albite-cream colored-plagioclase twinning striations — Albite Cream Colored Plagioclase Twinning Striations

albite-white in granite-microscopic view — Albite White In Granite Microscopic View

albite-cream colored plagioclase twinning striations-82 — Albite Cream Colored Plagioclase Twinning Striations

albite-brownish white crystal mass — Albite Brownish White Crystal Mass

albite-white cleavage surface — Albite White Cleavage Surface

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