Albite

The sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar. In pegmatites it forms white platy crystals that often host tourmaline and other gems.

Albite specimen — Photo: Rock Currier, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify albite

White, platy or bladed crystals.
Fine parallel striations on cleavage faces.
Hardness about 6.

Often confused with

Orthoclase
Orthoclase is often pink and lacks the fine striations.
Compare side by side
Quartz
Quartz has no cleavage and is a bit harder.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Minas Gerais, Brazil
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Maine

Uses

Ceramics and collector specimens.

Rock tumbling

Can be tumbled with care.

Did you know?

Its name comes from Latin albus, 'white'.

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