metamorphic
Mica-rich Schist fragment
Mica Schist
Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Silvery-gray, metallic, green-gray; Luster: Pearly to metallic; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels into thin flakes).
- Hardness
- 2-2
- Color
- Silvery-gray, metallic, green-gray
- Luster
- Pearly to metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Silvery-gray, metallic, green-gray; Luster: Pearly to metallic; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels into thin flakes).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the regional metamorphism of clay-rich sedimentary rocks (shales) or igneous rocks under high pressure and temperature. It is commonly found in mountain belts where tectonic plates collide.
Uses & applications
Used as an insulator in electrical equipment, as a pigment extender in paints, and occasionally in decorative building materials or as a filler in plastic and rubber.
Geological facts
Mica flakes were historically used as windows in Russian heaters (Muscovy-glass) because they are heat-resistant and transparent when thin.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its distinct foliation (schistosity) and the presence of visible, plate-like mineral flakes that glint in the sunlight. Commonly found in eroded metamorphic terrains.
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