Comparison · Minerals vs Feldspar Group
Elbaite vs Feldspar
Elbaite and Feldspar are easy to confuse. Elbaite is harder (Mohs 7–7.5) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Elbaite will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Elbaite and Feldspar
- Elbaite is harder (Mohs 7–7.5) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Elbaite will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- They overlap in pink, green, and clear, but Elbaite also comes in blue, red, and multicolored and Feldspar also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Elbaite is Trigonal, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Elbaite vs Feldspar properties
| Property | Elbaite | Feldspar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Feldspar Group |
| Mohs hardness | 7–7.5 | 6–6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.0–3.1 | 2.55–2.76 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species) |
| Common colors | Pink, Green, Blue, Red, Multicolored (watermelon), Colorless | White, Pink, Gray, Green (amazonite), Colorless |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Elbaite and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Elbaite
Elbaite is the most common gem-quality species within the tourmaline mineral group, a complex borosilicate rich in sodium, lithium, and aluminum with the formula Na(Li,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4. It produces one of the widest color ranges of any gem mineral, including pink, green, blue, and the bicolor watermelon tourmaline prized by collectors. Elbaite takes its name from the island of Elba, where fine crystals were first described.
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.
Elbaite vs Feldspar FAQ
Is Elbaite the same as Feldspar?
No. Elbaite is a mineral while Feldspar is a feldspar group. Elbaite is harder (Mohs 7–7.5) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Elbaite will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Elbaite from Feldspar?
Elbaite is harder (Mohs 7–7.5) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Elbaite will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. They overlap in pink, green, and clear, but Elbaite also comes in blue, red, and multicolored and Feldspar also comes in gray. Well-formed crystals give it away: Elbaite is Trigonal, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Which is harder, Elbaite or Feldspar?
Elbaite is harder: Mohs 7–7.5 against Mohs 6–6.5 for Feldspar.
Which is more valuable, Elbaite or Feldspar?
Typical specimens of Elbaite and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
