Esquema molecular
Anorthite
CaAl2Si2O8
Description
Anorthite is a mineral of the plagioclase feldspar group, being the calcium-rich end-member of the plagioclase series.
Chemical composition
Chemical formula
CaAl2Si2O8
Classification
Silicates
Crystal system
triclínico
Luster
Vítreo
Streak
Blanco
Density
2.75 g/cm³
Temperatura de fusión
1550 °C
Mohs Scale — 6/10
Referencia: Ortosa
Color
Blanco, gris, incoloro
Usos
Uso cotidiano
Mineral collecting and petrographic studies.
Uso industrial
Used as an indicator in geological studies to determine the temperature and pressure of formation for igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Similar minerals
Compare species
| Properties | Anorthite | Bytownite | Albite | Labradorite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical formula | CaAl2Si2O8 | (Ca,Na)(Si,Al)4O8 | NaAlSi3O8 | (Na,Ca)(Si,Al)4O8 |
| Classification | Silicates | Silicates | Silicates | Silicates |
| Crystal system | triclínico | triclínico | triclínico | Triclinic |
| Hardness | 6 | 6.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Density | 2.75 g/cm³ | 2.74 g/cm³ | 2.62 g/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³ |
| Luster | Vítreo | vítreo | Vítreo | Vitreous |
| Streak | Blanco | blanco | Blanca | White |
| Cleavage | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Transparency | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Similar minerals: Albita · Labradorita · Bytownita
Derivatives and uses
It alters to clay minerals like kaolinite or sericite.
Geographic distribution
Extraction countries: Italia, Japón, Estados Unidos, Suiza, India
Periodic table
Contains elements: Ca · Al · Si · O
Oxygen
#8 · Nonmetals