Albite

Twinned Crystal

SWITZERLAND

Diagnostic Features

Hardness: 6
Streak: White to none
Specific Gravity: 2.7
Luster: Nonmetallic
Cleavage: Present in 2 nearly orthogonal directions
Fracture: Conchoidal (rounded)
Other: Plagioclase crystals are generally white, with a penetrating fabric parallel to the cleavage planes. It is harder than glass.
Identification Tips

1. Plagioclase resembles orthoclase feldspar in nearly every respect. Plagioclase generally tends to vary from white to gray whereas orthoclase is generally tan to salmon.
2. Plagioclase is a principal constituent of mafic igneous rocks such as gabbro whereas orthoclase is a principal constituent of felsic igneous rocks such as granite.
Albite Crystals in Association with Smoky Quartz
Albite
Smoky Quartz
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Cleavelandite

VIRGINIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Albite
With Intersecting Cleavage Planes

COLORADO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Moses Hill
Magnet Cove


ARKANSAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Mogok


BURMA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Mogok


BURMA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Mogok


BURMA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite

Mogok


BURMA
Plagioclase Feldspar

Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
With Quartz on Matrix

Carinthia


AUSTRIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
With Quartz on Matrix

Carinthia


AUSTRIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
With Quartz on Matrix

Carinthia


AUSTRIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Oligoclase
Cleaved Crystal

Madawska


Ontario
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Oligoclase
Cleaved Crystal

Madawska


Ontario
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Oligoclase
Cleaved Crystal

Madawska


Ontario
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Oligoclase
Cleaved Crystal with Twinning

Madawska


Ontario
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Oligoclase
Cleaved Crystal with Twinning

Madawska


Ontario
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Crystals with Epidote Overgrowth

BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Crystals with Epidote Overgrowth

BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Crystals with Epidote Overgrowth

BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Crystals with Epidote and Titanite

BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Crystals with Epidote and Titanite

BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Acicular Crystals with Siderite

Mont Ste. Hilaire

Quebec
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Acicular Crystals with Siderite

Mont Ste. Hilaire

Quebec
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz


Albite
Acicular Crystals with Siderite

Mont Ste. Hilaire

Quebec
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite
Crystal Plate

Pitcairn

St. Lawrence County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite
Crystal Plate

Pitcairn

St. Lawrence County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
Intergrown Crystals with Quartz

Gliedergang
Unterbergtal
San Giacomo
Vizze Valley
South Tirol

Trentino-Alto Adige
ITALY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
Intergrown Crystals with Quartz

Gliedergang
Unterbergtal
San Giacomo
Vizze Valley
South Tirol

Trentino-Alto Adige
ITALY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
Intergrown Crystals with Quartz

Gliedergang
Unterbergtal
San Giacomo
Vizze Valley
South Tirol

Trentino-Alto Adige
ITALY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
Intergrown Crystals with Quartz

Gliedergang
Unterbergtal
San Giacomo
Vizze Valley
South Tirol

Trentino-Alto Adige
ITALY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Pericline
Intergrown Crystals with Quartz

Gliedergang
Unterbergtal
San Giacomo
Vizze Valley
South Tirol

Trentino-Alto Adige
ITALY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite
Tabular Crystals Illustrating Plagioclase Cleavage

Mont Saint Hilaire

Quebec
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite
Intergrown Crystal Sheaves

Emmons Pegmatite
Uncle Tom Mountain
Greenwood

Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

Albite
Crystal Plate

Pitcairn

St. Lawrence County
NEW YORK
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