On this page
UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral species · Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Albite
A separate mineral species of the feldspar group and one of the feldspar end-members; it sits at a different level from the aggregate name “albite jade”. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Albite forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale; where its colour and optical effects come from, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify AlbiteHow far lab testing can go and whether a synthetic exists
- Treatments and enhancements of AlbiteThe enhancements and treatments the GB/T and JJA/AGL tables list
- Caring for and wearing AlbiteCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them
- Hardness, density and refractive index of AlbiteEach value with its source and check date
- Albite in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Which of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A have a name for it on record, and do those agree?
- Listing and disclosing AlbiteThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define AlbiteWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Albite (NaAlSi3O8) is a tectosilicate mineral species of the feldspar group and the sodium end-member of the plagioclase solid-solution series: plagioclase is defined as a continuous solid solution between albite (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8), with composition expressed by An (mol.% anorthite), and albite lies at its sodium-rich end (about An0). It crystallizes from sodium-rich melts or aqueous fluids and occurs in granites, pegmatites, aplites, schists, basalts, and hydrothermal veins; in slowly cooled, sodium-rich pegmatites, low albite (~An0) can exsolve with minor oligoclase (~An20), forming albite with exsolution textures. Because standard gemological tests cannot separate feldspar varieties, variety identification usually requires X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis.
Scope: Applies to the composition, crystallisation environment and exsolution features of natural albite as the sodium-rich end-member of the plagioclase solid solution; does not cover synthetic albite or treated material.
Sources G&G Summer 2025
Where it forms
Sodium-rich silicate melts and aqueous fluids: albite crystallizes from sodium-rich settings and occurs in granites, pegmatites, aplites, schists, basalts, and hydrothermal veins.
Sources G&G Summer 2025
Slowly cooled, sodium-rich pegmatites: low albite exsolves with minor oligoclase, developing exsolution textures.
Sources G&G Summer 2025
How it forms, step by step
In a sodium-rich silicate melt or aqueous fluid, sodium, aluminium, and silicon combine to crystallize albite.
Albite and anorthite form a continuous solid-solution series, and the crystal composition lies at the sodium-rich end (about An0).
In slowly cooled sodium-rich pegmatites, low albite exsolves with minor oligoclase, forming exsolution textures.
Feldspar varieties including albite are hard to separate by standard gemological methods and usually require XRD and chemical analysis.
Link to appearance
Albite is triclinic, commonly twinned and with two perfect cleavages, and is usually colourless to white. When it exsolves with oligoclase to form textures it can show phenomenal effects, but albite's own colour does not indicate its origin.
Sources G&G Fall 2013 · G&G Winter 2022 · G&G Summer 2025 +1
- Oregon Sunstone: The Official State Gemstone of Oregon (Gems & Gemology, Fall 2013, Vol. 49, No. 3)
- Fluorescence Characteristics of Two Copper-Diffused Plagioclase Feldspars: Labradorite and Andesine (Gems & Gemology, Winter 2022, Vol. 58, No. 4)
- Structures Behind the Spectacle: A Review of Optical Effects in Phenomenal Gemstones and Their Underlying Nanotextures
- Gem-Quality Anorthoclase Feldspar from Southeast Vietnam (Gems & Gemology, Summer 2024, Vol. 60, No. 2)
Timescale
The sources give ages such as the 15-17 Ma (40Ar/39Ar ~15.51-16.59 Ma) basalts associated with Oregon sunstone, but no absolute age or duration for albite crystallization itself; exsolution occurs during cooling with no quantified timescale.
Sources G&G Summer 2025
Related base materials
- Plagioclase solid-solution series (albite-anorthite): end-member-of | Albite is the sodium-rich end-member of the continuous plagioclase solid solution
- Feldspar group: member-of | Albite is a framework silicate mineral species of the feldspar group
Supporting findings
In sodium-rich pegmatites, low albite (~An0) exsolves with minor oligoclase (~An20), forming albite with exsolution textures.
Evidence grade AScope: The exsolution texture forms as low albite cools, in sodium-bearing pegmatites; not all albite does this.
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Asia
- MyanmarRefers to albite jade ("shuimozi").
Sources Journal of Gems & Gemmology (Bao, 2013)
Europe
- St. Gotthard, Ticino, Switzerland
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Baveno, Piedmont, Italy
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
North America
- Pala district, San Diego County, California, United States
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
South America
- Virgem da Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Seas and coasts
- Worldwide
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Causes of colour and optical effects
The optical phenomenon in the plagioclase series that hosts albite comes from submicron intergrowth textures built by solid-state exsolution: sodium-rich plagioclase can exsolve thin, more calcic lamellae, and when adjacent calcic and sodic lamellae have thickness comparable to visible-light wavelengths they produce multilayer interference, giving a soft, usually pale blue schiller. For albite such exsolution lamellae occur mainly in the sodium-rich An2–An16 range, and only An5–An13 pegmatite material develops lamellae coarse enough to be effective; there the near-end-member low albite (about An0) is the dominant phase intergrown with minor oligoclase (about An20).
Evidence grade AScope: Applies to the sodium-rich end of the plagioclase solid solution (An2–An16, notably An5–An13); the mechanistic account does not prove any specimen's locality, naturalness, or treatment status.
These exsolution lamellae are mostly oriented parallel to the (08̄1) plane, so the iridescence is usually observed on a cleavage surface; the closer the composition lies to the pure sodium end member, the weaker the exsolution, so it is An2–An16 albite, not pure An0 albite, that actually manifests iridescence.
Evidence grade AScope: A general exsolution rule for the sodium-rich end of plagioclase; not aimed at any particular specimen.
Other research findings
Albite is a feldspar-group mineral species and the sodium end-member of the plagioclase continuous solid-solution series; plagioclase is defined as a solid solution between albite (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8).
Evidence grade AScope: The definitional statement of the plagioclase series; albite and anorthite are the two end-members and intermediate compositions are named by An.
Albite has the formula NaAlSi3O8 and is one of the three chemical end-members of feldspar (orthoclase KAlSi3O8, albite NaAlSi3O8, anorthite CaAl2Si2O8).
Evidence grade AScope: A chemical end-member statement; real crystals may contain minor other components.
Plagioclase varieties are named by An (mol.% anorthite); for example, labradorite is defined as plagioclase between An50 and An70, showing the series is divided into named ranges by An content.
Evidence grade AScope: Uses labradorite as an example of the An-based naming; the range boundaries are conventional.
The alkali feldspar subgroup ranges between sodium-rich feldspar (NaAlSi3O8) and potassium-rich feldspar (KAlSi3O8), and albite is one of its triclinic varieties.
Evidence grade AScope: Describes the compositional range of the alkali feldspar subgroup; it does not quantify albite's position within it.
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- Sources give no absolute age or growth duration for albite crystallization itself.
- This record does not detail deposit-specific albite genesis; it states the series membership and the general crystallization/exsolution mechanism.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Albite
GB/T 16552—2017 5.1.1 b)
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments recorded for this material: Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Coated (via parent material), Diffusion-treated (via parent material), Irradiated (via parent material)
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
Albite is Albite (IMA mineral species, feldspar group); use "Albite" for listings, and disclose any known treatments.
Evidence
- GB/T · 5.1.1 b)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Albite" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Care and wear
Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:
- Handle it gently.
- Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.
The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.
Care
Albite — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Albite, p.51; §6.2 j (locator checked 2026-09-25)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Albite — care (wear): cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code b
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Albite, p.51; §6.2 b (locator checked 2026-09-25)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Common care questions and matching entries
Care of Albite, as registered in the CIBJO Gemstone Book: regardless of treatment status, it must not be cleaned ultrasonically; also regardless of treatment status, it cleaves or fractures easily, so wear it with care.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner? | care (cleaning) |
| Wearing limits (knocks, settings) | cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care |
Treatments and identification leads
One row per treatment, with three standards side by side: how often it occurs and how stable it is (CIBJO), its category in GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (this site's paraphrase) and how the JJA/AGL 2025 table lists it. Each CIBJO value links to its entry under “Testing and market”, where the wording and source are given in full.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Treatment | Market frequency (CIBJO) | Stability (CIBJO) | GB/T 16552 category | JJA/AGL listing | Identification leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filling | — | — | Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1 | — | — |
| Coating | — | — | Treatment | — | — |
| Diffusion | — | — | Treatment | — | — |
| Irradiation | — | — | Treatment | — | — |
“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Feldspar); JJA/AGL 2025
Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):
- GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
- CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15
What this table covers
What this page can give
- Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
- Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe standard name for Albite is albite, from the albite jade row of GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2, and the suggested listing name is also Albite. Names in four languagesNames are registered in four languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Albite) and Japanese. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is Albite, an IMA-approved mineral species in the feldspar group. Institution usageOn authority wording, the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 records Albite; the FTC text on file has no wording for this name (checked); GIA and Gem-A are unchecked. Bodies that are unchecked or whose texts lack this name show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position. Japanese namesThe Japanese name shown is the entry's own; the wording used by the GSJ (Japan) for this name is not yet verified by this site.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- アルバイト／曹長石 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 钠长石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2, row “Albite Jade”)
- Mineralogical name
- Albite (IMA mineral species, feldspar group)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 钠长石
- 繁體中文
- 鈉長石
- English
- Albite
- 日本語
- アルバイト／曹長石
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Feldspar materials
- Identity tier
- Mineral species
- Mineral chemical class
- Silicates
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments listed by standards
GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1
Under the “Feldspar” row of Table B.1: Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1; Coating Treatment; Diffusion Treatment; Irradiation Treatment. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Feldspar page.
What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.
JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Gem name | Species | Colour | Listed in the table | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peristerite | Peristerite | white | an untreated tier is listed | peristerism; also called albite moonstone; no dedicated entry on this site; shown on the broader entry |
JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.15
How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.
What it is and how it's identified
The composition of Albite is NaAlSi3O8; registered under plagioclase (the whole series), the composition lies between NaAlSi3O8 and CaAl2Si2O8. Registered under feldspar (the whole mineral group): the structure is crystalline overall, the crystal habit tabular or short prismatic, with Carlsbad, polysynthetic and cross-hatched (grid) twinning common; Mohs hardness 6–6.5, with two directions of perfect cleavage; optical character anisotropic, biaxial, positive or negative; when untreated, pleochroism is usually absent and the lustre vitreous; density 2.55–2.75 g/cm³, refractive index 1.508–1.572 and birefringence 0.005–0.01, with finer bands in the cited clause and the overall range registered (site note). The CIBJO Albite entry registers the transparency as translucent, or nearly colourless and transparent; untreated body colours are white, milky white, light brown and brownish pink, translucent. For optical effects, iridescence, asterism and aventurescence are registered as visible under feldspar (the whole mineral group); CIBJO registers chatoyancy and adularescence, noting that the cited source says they may occur.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for feldspar (the whole mineral group), so they are not repeated on the Albite page; see the material facts on the Feldspar entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Albite (how to read class-level values).
Definition
Albite — nomenclature status: IMA status A: approved (accepted by the IMA after it was set up in 1958).
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Albite — composition (chemistry): albite: NaAlSi3O8.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.10 Chemical composition · Albite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — composition (chemistry): plagioclase: NaAlSi3O8–CaAl2Si2O8.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- plagioclase (the whole series)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 Chemical composition · Plagioclase (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Structure
Albite — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — structure (crystal system): Moonstone and amazonite belong to the monoclinic or triclinic system; sunstone and labradorite are triclinic.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — structure (crystal habit): Crystals are tabular or stubby prisms; Carlsbad, polysynthetic and gridiron (cross-hatched) twinning are common.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Albite — Mohs hardness: 6–6.5
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — cleavage: two directions of perfect cleavage
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Albite — density: 2.55–2.75 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Optical
Albite — optic character: biaxial and anisotropic; optic sign may be either positive or negative.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — refractive index: 1.508–1.572
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — birefringence: 0.005–0.01
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — transparency: translucent, or nearly colourless and transparent.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Albite — pleochroism: usually absent
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — optical effect (iridescence): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
optical effect (chatoyancy)2 sources compared
Albite — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — optical effect (chatoyancy): chatoyancy.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Qualification
The cited source states that this effect may occur.
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Albite — optical effect (asterism): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — optical effect (aventurescence): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Albite — optical effect (adularescence): adularescence.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Qualification
The cited source states that this effect may occur.
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Albite — body colour: White, cream, light brown, brownish pink, translucent, or nearly colourless and transparent.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Diaspore, Tremolite, Dolomite and other entries also name white or a whitish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
- CIBJO definitions
- chatoyancy, asterism, aventurescence, adularescence
Quality factors
Albite — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- feldspar (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.17 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.54 / 2.65; Closest values: 1Charoite 1.554 / 2.66, 2Changhua Stone 1.56 / 2.6, 3Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7, 4Balin Stone 1.56 / 2.55, 5Bamboo Coral 1.57 / 2.65
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
In the CIBJO laboratory protocol, identification of Albite falls under feldspar; for details see identification on the Feldspar entry, and the list of required methods is on the laboratory testing page. On whether synthetics are on the market, the CIBJO Blue Book (2022) concludes that there is no synthetic Albite on the market.
The CIBJO laboratory protocol covers Albite under “Feldspar” (§6.1.33): see identification on the Feldspar entry; the required tests are listed on the CIBJO laboratory protocol table for Feldspar.
How far testing can go
Albite — synthetic counterpart on the market: No synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
Albite is defined directly in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024, under the term Albite, as the sodium-rich end-member of the plagioclase series. The cross-check is recorded as defined directly by CIBJO, also appearing in the GB/T annex. Source: CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024.
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| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albite | 7.2.1.5 | Albite is the sodium-rich endmember of the plagioclase series. White, cream, light brown, brownish pink, translucent, or nearly colourless and transparent; may show chatoyancy, play-of-colour or adularescence | Defined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- GIA – Gemological Institute of America (United States). Gem Encyclopedia.
- Gem-A – The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (United Kingdom).
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
Related-entry tree for Albite on this site: 2 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Albite) is marked.
- Albite
Sub-entries (1)
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Feldspar materials | Live |
| Treatments recorded for this material | Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Coated (via parent material), Diffusion-treated (via parent material), Irradiated (via parent material) | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Albite entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.