metamorphic
Muscovite Schist with Quartz
Mica Schist (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
Hardness: 2-3 (mica) and 7 (quartz); Color: Silver, gray, light tan to pearly; Luster: Vitreous to pearly/metallic-looking flakes; Crystal structure: Monoclinic (platey); Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage in the mica flakes.
- Hardness
- 2-3 (mica) and 7 (quartz)
- Color
- Silver, gray, light tan to pearly
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly/metallic-looking flakes
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2-3 (mica) and 7 (quartz); Color: Silver, gray, light tan to pearly; Luster: Vitreous to pearly/metallic-looking flakes; Crystal structure: Monoclinic (platey); Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage in the mica flakes.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of shale or sedimentary mudstone under high pressure and temperature conditions. Typically found in mountain belts and metamorphic terrains.
Uses & applications
Used in the electronics industry as an insulator, in cosmetics (pearlescent effect), in construction as a filler, and as decorative garden or fireplace stone.
Geological facts
Mica is heat-resistant and was once commonly used for 'isinglass' windows in ovens and furnaces because it is transparent when split into thin sheets.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its shiny, reflective 'glittery' flakes that can be peeled off with a knife. Commonly found in areas with tectonic activity or ancient mountain ranges like the Appalachians.
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