Albite

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Albite is an alkali feldspar mineral. It is the sodium endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series. As such it represents a plagioclase with less than 10% anorthite content. The pure albite endmember has the formula NaAlSi₃O₈. It is a tectosilicate.

Albite crystallizes with triclinic pinacoidal forms. Its specific gravity is about 2.62 and has a Mohs hardness of 6. Albite almost always exhibits crystal twinning often as minute parallel striations on the crystal face. Albite often occurs as fine parallel segregations alternating with pink microcline in perthite as a result of exolution on cooling. It occurs in granitic and pegmatite masses and also in some hydrothermal vein deposits.

It was first reported in 1815 for an occurrence in Sweden. The name is from Latin, albus for the typical white color.

Hardness: 6-6.5

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