Comparison · Minerals
Albite vs Analcime
Albite and Analcime are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Albite will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Albite and Analcime
- Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Albite will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- They overlap in clear, gray, and green, but Albite also comes in blue and Analcime also comes in pink.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Albite is Triclinic, Analcime is Isometric.
Albite vs Analcime properties
| Property | Albite | Analcime |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 5–5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.60–2.65 | 2.24–2.29 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic | Isometric |
| Common colors | White, Colorless, Gray, Greenish, Pale blue (rare) | Colorless, White, Gray, Pink, Pale green |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Albite and Analcime trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Albite
Albite is the sodium-rich end-member of the plagioclase feldspar series, with the formula NaAlSi3O8, forming a continuous solid-solution series with the calcium end-member anorthite. It typically appears as white, cream, or pale gray tabular crystals with two cleavage directions meeting near a right angle. Its low density and glassy luster set it apart from denser silicates, and it is a defining component of many granites, gneisses, and pegmatites.
About Analcime
Analcime is a hydrated sodium aluminosilicate, NaAlSi2O6·H2O, and one of the few zeolites to crystallize in the isometric system rather than a lower-symmetry one. It typically forms trapezohedral crystals with twenty-four faces, giving specimens a distinctive rounded, many-sided appearance. Chemically it sits at the boundary between the zeolite and feldspathoid mineral groups.
Albite vs Analcime FAQ
Is Albite the same as Analcime?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Albite will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Albite from Analcime?
Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Albite will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. They overlap in clear, gray, and green, but Albite also comes in blue and Analcime also comes in pink. Well-formed crystals give it away: Albite is Triclinic, Analcime is Isometric.
Which is harder, Albite or Analcime?
Albite is harder: Mohs 6–6.5 against Mohs 5–5.5 for Analcime.
Which is more valuable, Albite or Analcime?
Typical specimens of Albite and Analcime trade in a similar range, around $20.
