AllMineralsRock
Albite Vs. Opal
Albite is a popular mineral composed of sodium aluminum silicate.[1] Opal is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Albite and Opal
For a quick recap of the differences albite and opal:- While both albite and opal can be translucent or transparent, albite can be opaque.
- For chemical formulas, albite is NaAlSi3O8 while opal is SiO2· nH2O.
- While both albite and opal can be pearly or vitreous, in terms of luster, opal can be waxy.
- While both albite and opal can be commonly red, albite is often blue or green.
- Albite's specific gravity is higher than opal - albite ranges from 2.57 to 2.69 and opal ranges from 1.98 to 2.25.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Albite and Opal
The similarities of albite and opal include:- Albite and opal both streak white.
- Albite's rarity is similar to opal.
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 Opal
Opal is a mineraloid that is formed from the silica-rich water that permeates through the earth's crust. It is a beautiful gemstone that is known for its unique play of colors. Opal is a non-crystalline mineral that is made up of tiny spheres of silica, which diffract light in a way that creates a rainbow of colors. The colors of opal can range from white, gray, and black to red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.Table Comparison of Albite vs Opal
| Albite (src) | Opal (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi3O8 | SiO2· nH2O |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 2.57, 2.69 | 1.98, 2.25 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Hydrous | No | Yes |
| Colors | common: red, blue, green sometimes: brown, yellow less common: gray, pale, pink, cream, white, colorless |
common: red sometimes: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, white, orange, purple, yellow, colorless, band, multicolor |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.010 | none |
| Fracture | conchoidal, subconchoidal, uneven | conchoidal |