AllMineralsRock
Albite Vs. Jasper
Albite is a popular mineral composed of sodium aluminum silicate.[1] Jasper is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Albite and Jasper
For a quick recap of the differences albite and jasper:- While both albite and jasper can be opaque, albite can be translucent or transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, albite is triclinic while jasper is hexagonal.
- For chemical formulas, albite is NaAlSi3O8 while jasper is SiO2.
- While both albite and jasper can be vitreous, in terms of luster, albite can be pearly and jasper can be dull or waxy.
- While both albite and jasper can be commonly red, albite is often blue or green.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Albite and Jasper
The similarities of albite and jasper include:- Albite and jasper both streak white.
- Albite's rarity is similar to jasper.
- Albite's hardness overlaps with jasper - albite ranges from 6 to 6.5 and jasper ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
- Albite's specific gravity overlaps with jasper - albite ranges from 2.57 to 2.69 and jasper ranges from 2.55 to 2.91.
Summary of Albite
Albite is a mineral that belongs to the plagioclase feldspar group. It is a white or colorless mineral that is commonly found in igneous rocks. Albite has a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 2.62-2.65. It is a common mineral in the Earth's crust, and can be found in many different types of rocks, including granite, syenite, andesite, and basalt.Summary of Jasper
Jasper is a type of mineral that is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, and is usually formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments. It is a beautiful and unique mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Jasper is often used in jewelry making, as well as for decorative purposes in home decor and landscaping.Table Comparison of Albite vs Jasper
| Albite (src) | Jasper (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | opaque |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi3O8 | SiO2 |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 2.57, 2.69 | 2.55, 2.91 |
| Hardness | 6, 6.5 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | triclinic | hexagonal |
| Refractive Index | 1.527, 1.544 | 1.54, 1.553 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, blue, green sometimes: brown, yellow less common: gray, pale, pink, cream, white, colorless |
common: red sometimes: yellow less common: blue, gray, black, brown, green, white, orange, band, multicolor |
| Category | plagioclase | chalcedony |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.010 | δ = 0.009 |
| Fracture | conchoidal, subconchoidal, uneven | conchoidal |