Albite
Oligoclase
Kenya
1.59 carats
© Rarestone.com
The name Albite derives from Latin - albus, because its colour is usually pure white.
Albite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Albite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Albite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:1.01 cts
Heaviest:3.82 cts
Average:2.15 cts
Total photos:15
Do you have a larger Albite? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A variety or type of: | Feldspar | |||||||||
| Varieties/Types: | Andesine - A plagioclase feldspar with an Albite: Anorthite molar ratio ranging from 50:50 to 70:30. Oligoclase - A plagioclase feldspar with an Albite: Anorthite molar ratio ranging from 90:10 to 70:30. | |||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Albite Treatments | ||||||||||
| Irradiation may turn colourless material blue if lead and water impurities are present (see amazonite). | ||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Albite | ||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.61 to 2.62, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | |||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Perfect to excellent | |||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Conchoidal, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | |||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.529 to 1.542, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | |||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.009, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||
| Dispersion | ||||||||||