Properties of Albite

Albite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral that belongs to the feldspar group. It is a common rock-forming mineral and is often found in igneous rocks, such as granite.

Image of albite mineral
Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com - CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of albite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Albite Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaNaAlSi3O8
Molar Mass263.02 g/mol
Crystal SystemTriclinic
Mohs Hardness6 - 6.5
Density2620 kg/m3
ColorWhite, gray, greenish gray, bluish green, or gray
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
LusterVitreous (glassy)
Cleavage(001) perfect, (010) good
FractureUneven
StreakWhite
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point1100 °C
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)8.3×10-6 1/°C

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.