metamorphic
Mica Schist (with Muscovite)
Muscovite/Quartz Schist (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
Hardness: 2-2.5 (mica) to 7 (quartz); Color: Silver, gray, or pearly white with metallic flashes; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels in sheets)
- Hardness
- 2-2
- Color
- Silver, gray, or pearly white with metallic flashes
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2-2.5 (mica) to 7 (quartz); Color: Silver, gray, or pearly white with metallic flashes; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels in sheets)
Formation & geological history
Formed under regional metamorphism of shale or sedimentary protoliths at intermediate pressures and temperatures. Common in mountain belts and old continental shields.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, insulation, as a filler in paints and plastics, and as an industrial lubricant. High-quality specimens are popular for geological collections.
Geological facts
The word 'Mica' comes from the Latin word 'micare', meaning to glitter or shine. Muscovite was historically used for windowpanes in Russia, known as 'Muscovy glass'.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive foliated or layered texture and the way it reflects light in shiny flakes. Commonly found in metamorphic terrains like the Appalachian Mountains.
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