Albite is a mineral that belongs to the feldspar group, specifically the plagioclase feldspars. It is a common and important constituent of many igneous rocks, such as granites and syenites, as well as metamorphic rocks like gneisses and schists. Albite typically occurs as a white, gray, or colorless mineral, but it may also exhibit pale shades of yellow, green, or even reddish hues.
In terms of its crystal structure, albite crystallizes in the triclinic system and is often found in elongated or tabular forms. Its cleavage is perfect in one direction, and it possesses a vitreous to pearly luster on its surfaces. Albite has a relatively low hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it susceptible to scratching or abrasion.
Chemically, albite is an aluminum silicate mineral, with the chemical formula NaAlSi3O8. It is primarily composed of sodium (Na), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). Albite is commonly found alongside other minerals, such as quartz, muscovite, and biotite.
The name "albite" originates from its sodium content, as "alba" means white in Latin. It was first described in 1815 by the mineralogist Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt. Due to its abundance and widespread occurrence, albite is often used both as a gemstone and as a raw material in various industrial applications, ranging from ceramics and glassmaking to the production of aluminum and sodium chemicals.
