Comparison · Minerals vs Feldspar Group
Analcime vs Feldspar
Analcime and Feldspar are easy to confuse. Feldspar is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Feldspar 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 Analcime and Feldspar
- Feldspar is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Feldspar will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Analcime vs Feldspar properties
| Property | Analcime | Feldspar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Feldspar Group |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 6–6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.24–2.29 | 2.55–2.76 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species) |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Gray, Pink, Pale green | White, Pink, Gray, Green (amazonite), Colorless |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Analcime and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
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.
About Feldspar
Feldspar is not a single mineral but a group of related aluminosilicate minerals, comprising the potassium feldspars, orthoclase, microcline, and sanidine, and the plagioclase series running from albite to anorthite, together making up roughly 60 percent of Earth's crust by volume. All share a similar framework silicate structure, two cleavage directions near 90 degrees, and moderate hardness, but differ in composition, color, and crystal system. As the most abundant mineral group on the planet, feldspar defines granite, basalt, gneiss, and countless other rock types.
Analcime vs Feldspar FAQ
Is Analcime the same as Feldspar?
No. Analcime is a mineral while Feldspar is a feldspar group. Feldspar is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Feldspar 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 Analcime from Feldspar?
Feldspar is harder (Mohs 6–6.5) than Analcime (Mohs 5–5.5), so Feldspar will scratch Analcime and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Which is harder, Analcime or Feldspar?
Feldspar is harder: Mohs 6–6.5 against Mohs 5–5.5 for Analcime.
Which is more valuable, Analcime or Feldspar?
Typical specimens of Analcime and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
