Mineral Factbook

Oligoclase

Series / solid solution

Oligoclase is a sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar. Compositions vary between the end-member species Albite and Anorthite.

Photos

Oligoclase specimen photo
Ronald Werner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Oligoclase specimen photo
Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Oligoclase specimen photo
Dave Dyet http://www.shutterstone.com http://www.dyet.com · Public domain · Commons
Oligoclase specimen photo
Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

About Albite (major)

Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Albite species page.

FormulaNa(AlSi3O8)
Hardness (Mohs)5.5
Specific gravity2.63-2.66
Density (calculated)2.621
Crystal systemtriclinic
Color rangered, white, yellow
Streakwhite

About Anorthite (minor)

Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Anorthite species page.

FormulaCa(Al2Si2O8)
Hardness (Mohs)6-6.5
Specific gravity17
Density (calculated)2.797
Crystal systemtriclinic
Color rangegray, red, white
Streakred