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Albite

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Lohning quarry (Lohninger quarry), Hüttwinkl valley, Rauris valley, Hohe Tauern, Salzburg, Austria
© Stephan Wolfsried

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Formula:
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
System:TriclinicColour:White to grey, bluish, ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:6 - 6½
Member of:Feldspar Group
Name:From Latin "albus", white, alluding to its usual color.


Feldspar Group.

Na-rich end member of the Albite-Anorthite Series.

Low- and high-temperature structural modifications exist ('low albite' and 'high albite'), with ordered and disordered Al-Si distribution, respectively.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Albite. Currently in public beta-test.

Classification of Albite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.07-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FA.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions
Dana 7th edition ID:76.1.3.1
Dana 8th edition ID:76.1.3.1

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
1 : Al-Si Framework with Al-Si frameworks
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.2.1

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
2 : Aluminosilicates of Na
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Type Occurrence of Albite

Type Locality:Finnbo (Finbo), Falun, Dalarna, Sweden
Year of Discovery:1815

Occurrences of Albite

Geological Setting:A major constituent of granites and granite pegmatites, alkalic diorites, basalts, and in hydrothermal and alpine veins. A product of potassium metasomatism and in low-temperature and low-pressure metamorphic facies and in some schists. Detrital and authigenic in sedimentary rocks.

Physical Properties of Albite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Pearly on cleavages
Colour:White to grey, bluish, greenish, reddish
Comment:may be chatoyant
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
on [001], good on [010], imperfect on {110}
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.6 - 2.65 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.615(6) g/cm3

Crystallography of Albite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Cell Parameters:a = 8.16Å, b = 12.87Å, c = 7.11Å
α = 93.45°, β = 116.4°, γ = 90.28°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.634 : 1 : 0.552
Unit Cell Volume:V 667.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals commonly tabular parallel {010} , may be curved, to 3 cm; divergent aggregates, granular, cleavable massive.
Twinning:Common around
[010] or perpendicular {010} , giving polysynthetic striae on 001 or {010} ; many other laws, contact, simple and multiple.
Comment:High and low forms; both are described in the non-standard space-group C-1 (chosen by convention to facilitate comparison with C-centred monoclinic orthoclase and sanidine).
Crystal Atlas:
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Albite no.78 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Albite no.80 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Albite no.256 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Albite no.267 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Albite no.309 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Albite - {110}, {010}, {1-11}, modified

About Crystal Atlas

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The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

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Structure
  Reference
Gualtieri A F (2000) Accuracy of XRPD QPA using the combined Rietveld-RIR method Locality: Baveno, Novara, Italy. Journal of Applied Crystallography 33:267-278.

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Albite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.528 - 1.533 nβ = 1.532 - 1.537 nγ = 1.538 - 1.542
2V:Measured: 45° , Calculated: 76° to 82°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r < v weak
Comments:Biaxial - for high variety.

Chemical Properties of Albite

Formula:
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Essential elements:Al, Na, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ca,K,Mg

Relationship of Albite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Anorthite (see here)
Member of:Feldspar Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Andesine
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Anorthite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Anorthoclase
(Na,K)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Banalsite
BaNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
Buddingtonite
(NH
 
4
)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Bytownite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Celsian
BaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Dmisteinbergite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Hyalophane
(K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Labradorite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Microcline
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Oligoclase
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Orthoclase
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Paracelsian
BaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
Sanidine
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Slawsonite
(Sr,Ca)Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Stronalsite
SrNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
Svyatoslavite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
Common Associates:
QuartzOrthoclaseMuscoviteHornblendeBiotite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FA.05Kaliophilite
KAlSiO
 
4
9.FA.05Kalsilite
KAlSiO
 
4
9.FA.05Nepheline
(Na,K)AlSiO
 
4
9.FA.05Panunzite
(K,Na)AlSiO
 
4
9.FA.05Trikalsilite
(K,Na)AlSiO
 
4
9.FA.05Yoshiokaite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O
 
4
]
9.FA.05Megakalsilite
KAlSiO
 
4
9.FA.10Malinkoite
NaBSiO
 
4
9.FA.15Virgilite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.25Lisitsynite
KBSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.30Adularia
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Anorthoclase
(Na,K)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Buddingtonite
(NH
 
4
)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Celsian
BaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.30Hyalophane
(K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Microcline
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Orthoclase
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Sanidine
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Rubicline
(Rb,K)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Monalbite
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.35Andesine
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Anorthite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.35Bytownite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Labradorite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Oligoclase
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.40Paracelsian
BaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.45Svyatoslavite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.45Kumdykolite
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.50Slawsonite
(Sr,Ca)Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.55Lisetite
CaNa
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
9.FA.60Banalsite
BaNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.60Stronalsite
SrNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.65Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Maleevite
BaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Pekovite
SrB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.70Lingunite
(Na,Ca)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.75Kokchetavite
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.2.2Analcime
Na
 
2
(Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
) · 2H
 
2
O
16.2.3Ussingite
Na
 
2
AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
OH
16.2.4Paragonite
NaAl
 
2
(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
16.2.5Natrolite
Na
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 2H
 
2
O
16.2.6Tetranatrolite
16.2.7Paranatrolite
Na
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
16.2.8Ephesite
LiNaAl
 
2
(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
16.2.9Rectorite
(Na,Ca)Al
 
4
((Si,Al)
 
8
O
 
20
)(OH)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
16.2.10Jadeite
Na(Al,Fe
3+
 
)Si
 
2
O
 
6
16.2.11Brammallite
(Na,H
 
3
O)(Al,Mg,Fe)
 
2
((Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Albite

Synonyms:
Acid plagioclaseAnalbite (of Alling)CryptoclaseCryptoseHyposclerite
KieselspathNatro-FeldspatOlafiteSodaclaseSoda Feldspar
TetartineWhite FeldsparWhite SchorlZygadite
Other Languages:
Bosnian (Latin Script):Albit
Croatian:Albit
Czech:Albit
Dutch:Albiet
Esperanto:Albito
Estonian:Albiit
Finnish:Albiitti
French:Albite
German:Albit
Hyposclerit
Olafit
Zygadit
Hebrew:אלביט
Hungarian:Albit
Italian:Albite
Japanese:曹長石
Latvian:Albīts
Lithuanian:Albitas
Norwegian (Bokmål):Albitt
Polish:Albit
Portuguese:Albita
Russian:Альбит
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Албит
Simplified Chinese:钠长石
Slovak:Albit
Slovenian:Albit
Spanish:Albita
Hyposclerita
Olafita
Zygadita
Swedish:Albit
Turkish:Albit
Ukrainian:Альбіт
Varieties:
Albite MoonstoneAndesineCleavelanditeHigh AlbiteLazur-Feldspath
Low AlbiteOligoclaseOligoclase-AlbitePericlinePeristerite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Albite

Reference List:

- +
Rose. G. (1823): Über den Feldspat, Albit, Labradorit und Anorthit, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Vol. 73/NF-43, 175-208.

Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1911), Krystallographische Notizen ueber Albit, Phenakit, und Neptunit: Zeitschr. für Kristallographie, Band 48: 550-558; USGS Bull. 490: 53-56 (1911).

MacKenzie, W.S. (1957) The crystalline modifications of NaAlSi3O8: American Journal of Science: 255: 481-516.

Ferguson, R.B., R.J. Trail & W.H. Taylor (1958), The crystal structure of low-temperature and high-temperature albites: Acta Crystallographica: 11: 331-348.

Smith, J.V. and MacKenzie, W.S. (1958) Alkali feldspars. IV. The cooling history of high-temperature sodium-rich feldspars. American Mineralogist: 43: 872-889.

Williams, P.P. and Megaw, H.D. (1964) The crystal structure of low and high albites at -180°C. Acta Crystallographica: 17: 882-890.

Crawford, W.A. (1966), Optical properties of metamorphic albite: American Mineralogist: 51: 523-524.

Martin, R.F. (1969) The hydrothermal synthesis of low albite. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology: 23: 323-339.

MacKenzie, W.S. and J. Zussman, Eds., The Feldspars (1974). Manchester University Press, U.K.

Moore, D. E. & J.G. Liou (1979), Chessboard-twinned albite from Franciscan metaconglomerates of the Diablo Range, California: American Mineralogist: 64: 329-336.

Sebastian, A. and Lagache, M. (1990) Experimental study of the equilibrium between pollucite, albite, and hydrothermal fluid in pegmatite systems. Mineralogical Magazine: 54: 447-454.

Knoche, R., Dingwell, D.B., and Webb, S.L. (1992a) Non-linear temperature dependence of liquid volumes in the system albite-anorthite-diopside. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology: 111: 61-73.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1995) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume II. Silica, Silicates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 904pp., 2 sub-volumes: 13.

Benusa, M.T., R.J. Angel & N.L. Ross (2005), Compression of albite, NaAlSi3O8: American Mineralogist: 90: 1115-1120.

Internet Links for Albite

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