metamorphic
Graphite-rich schist (probable graphite flake)
Graphite (C) in graphitic schist; possibly graphite-bearing phyllite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark gray to black, strongly metallic to submetallic sheen with platy, flaky cleavage and visible foliation; graphite has Mohs hardness 1–2, hexagonal crystal structure, and leaves a gray-black streak. The specimen appears brittle and layered rather than uniformly crystalline.
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Physical properties
Dark gray to black, strongly metallic to submetallic sheen with platy, flaky cleavage and visible foliation; graphite has Mohs hardness 1–2, hexagonal crystal structure, and leaves a gray-black streak. The specimen appears brittle and layered rather than uniformly crystalline.
Formation & geological history
Formed when carbon-rich sedimentary rocks were metamorphosed under heat and pressure, commonly during regional mountain building; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the image. Graphite may recrystallize from organic carbon over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Graphite is used in pencils, refractories, lubricants, batteries, electrodes, and some composites; graphitic schist is mainly a teaching or collector specimen. Small ordinary fragments generally have little commercial value.
Geological facts
Graphite is the soft, electrically conductive carbon polymorph, unlike diamond, which is extremely hard. Its flaky layers produce the characteristic shiny, slippery appearance.
Field identification & locations
Common in metamorphic belts worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, China, Canada, Brazil, and the United States. Confirm with a very soft streak, greasy feel, conductivity, and lack of bubbling in dilute acid; a definitive identification may require microscopy or XRD.
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