Albite is a pure sodium feldspar. In the earth's crust, feldspars are more abundant than all other minerals combined. It occurs as sharp, well-formed, bladed crystals from millimeter size to several centimeters in length. The pink color tends to fade somewhat after extended periods of natural light

Albite can be distinguished from other plagioclase feldspars by its specific gravity and refractive index. Plagioclase feldspars can be distinguished from most other common feldspars by the presence of albite twin striations. In the field, albite is recognizable by its occurance, albite twin striations, crystal habit, color and transparency.

Albite is used commercially in ceramics. It is ground very fine and mixed with kaolin and quartz. Upon heating, the feldspar fuses and acts as a cement binding the materials together. Fused feldspar also is the main constituent in the glaze on porcelain. Sometimes feldspar is also used to supply alumina in the manufacture of glass.