Comparison · Minerals
Albite vs Hauyne
Albite and Hauyne are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 6–6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Albite and Hauyne
- Both sit near Mohs 6–6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Albite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Hauyne leaves pale blue.
- They overlap in green and blue, but Albite also comes in clear and gray and Hauyne also comes in white.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Albite is Triclinic, Hauyne is Isometric.
Albite vs Hauyne properties
| Property | Albite | Hauyne |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 5.5–6 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | Vitreous to greasy |
| Streak | White | Pale blue |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.60–2.65 | 2.4–2.5 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic | Isometric |
| Common colors | White, Colorless, Gray, Greenish, Pale blue (rare) | Blue, Sky blue, Greenish blue, White |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Albite and Hauyne 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 Hauyne
Hauyne, also spelled haüyne, is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate belonging to the feldspathoid group, crystallizing in the cubic system. Its vivid blue color closely resembles lazurite, the mineral primarily responsible for lapis lazuli's color, though the two form in entirely different geologic settings. It typically occurs as small, well-formed dodecahedral crystals embedded in silica-poor volcanic rock.
Albite vs Hauyne FAQ
Is Albite the same as Hauyne?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6–6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Albite from Hauyne?
Both sit near Mohs 6–6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Albite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Hauyne leaves pale blue. They overlap in green and blue, but Albite also comes in clear and gray and Hauyne also comes in white.
Which is harder, Albite or Hauyne?
Albite is harder: Mohs 6–6.5 against Mohs 5.5–6 for Hauyne.
Which is more valuable, Albite or Hauyne?
Typical specimens of Albite and Hauyne trade in a similar range, around $20.
