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Clevelandite, a variety of 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
Clevelandite 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.
Clevelandite 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.
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