Comparison · Minerals
Albite vs Hemimorphite
Albite and Hemimorphite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Hemimorphite (Mohs 4.5–5), so Albite will scratch Hemimorphite 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 Hemimorphite
- Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Hemimorphite (Mohs 4.5–5), so Albite will scratch Hemimorphite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Hemimorphite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.4–3.5 versus 2.60–2.65 for Albite).
- They overlap in clear, green, and blue, but Albite also comes in gray and Hemimorphite also comes in brown and yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Albite is Triclinic, Hemimorphite is Orthorhombic.
Albite vs Hemimorphite properties
| Property | Albite | Hemimorphite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 4.5–5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | Vitreous, silky when fibrous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.60–2.65 | 3.4–3.5 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | White, Colorless, Gray, Greenish, Pale blue (rare) | White, Colorless, Pale blue, Green, Brown, Yellowish |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Albite and Hemimorphite 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 Hemimorphite
Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate hydroxide mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic system and named for its hemimorphic crystals, which develop different faces at opposite ends of the same crystal axis. It typically forms in the oxidized zones of zinc ore deposits, often intergrown with or resembling smithsonite, another secondary zinc mineral. Its delicate, fan-shaped crystal clusters and pastel blue to white coloring make it a favorite among collectors of secondary zinc minerals.
Albite vs Hemimorphite FAQ
Is Albite the same as Hemimorphite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Hemimorphite (Mohs 4.5–5), so Albite will scratch Hemimorphite 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 Hemimorphite?
Albite is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Hemimorphite (Mohs 4.5–5), so Albite will scratch Hemimorphite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Hemimorphite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.4–3.5 versus 2.60–2.65 for Albite). They overlap in clear, green, and blue, but Albite also comes in gray and Hemimorphite also comes in brown and yellow.
Which is harder, Albite or Hemimorphite?
Albite is harder: Mohs 6–6.5 against Mohs 4.5–5 for Hemimorphite.
Which is more valuable, Albite or Hemimorphite?
Typical specimens of Albite and Hemimorphite trade in a similar range, around $20.
