Comparison · Minerals
Albite vs Apatite
Albite and Apatite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Apatite (Mohs 5), so Albite will scratch Apatite 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 Apatite
- Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Apatite (Mohs 5), so Albite will scratch Apatite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.60–2.65 for Albite).
- They overlap in clear, green, and blue, but Albite also comes in gray and Apatite also comes in yellow, purple, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Albite is Triclinic, Apatite is Hexagonal.
Albite vs Apatite properties
| Property | Albite | Apatite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | Vitreous to subresinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.60–2.65 | 3.1–3.2 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic | Hexagonal |
| Common colors | White, Colorless, Gray, Greenish, Pale blue (rare) | Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Colorless, Brown |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Albite and Apatite 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 Apatite
Apatite is the collective name for a group of calcium phosphate minerals, chiefly hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, sharing the general formula Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH). It is the mineral that defines hardness 5 on the Mohs scale and forms the mineral component of bones and teeth in vertebrates. Gem-quality crystals range from pale green and blue to vivid neon blue-green varieties prized by collectors.
Albite vs Apatite FAQ
Is Albite the same as Apatite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Apatite (Mohs 5), so Albite will scratch Apatite 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 Apatite?
Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Apatite (Mohs 5), so Albite will scratch Apatite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.60–2.65 for Albite). They overlap in clear, green, and blue, but Albite also comes in gray and Apatite also comes in yellow, purple, and brown.
Which is harder, Albite or Apatite?
Albite is harder: Mohs 6–6.5 against Mohs 5 for Apatite.
Which is more valuable, Albite or Apatite?
Typical specimens of Albite and Apatite trade in a similar range, around $20.
