metamorphic

Mica-rich metamorphic rock, likely schist

Muscovite/biotite schist, possibly quartz-bearing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically gray to brown and strongly foliated, with sparkly platy mica, granular quartz, and possible feldspar; mica has perfect cleavage, while quartz is Mohs 7. Overall hardness is commonly 2–7, with a moderate specific gravity around 2.7–2.9 and pearly to vitreous luster.

Identified September 3, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Mica-rich metamorphic rock, likely schist in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when clay-rich sedimentary rock was buried, heated, and compressed during regional metamorphism, commonly during mountain building. Exact age cannot be determined from the photograph; schists range from Precambrian to recent geological settings.

Uses & applications

Used locally as decorative stone, landscaping material, aggregate, or roofing/slab stone, though abundant mica limits durability. Attractive specimens are collected for their glittering foliation.

Geological facts

The visible reflective flakes are likely mica, whose sheets split into thin elastic layers. The specimen may also be a weathered gneiss or mica-bearing quartzite, which cannot be distinguished confidently from this image alone.

Field identification & locations

Look for aligned mica flakes and a tendency to split along foliation; a steel nail may scratch softer mica but not quartz grains. Common in metamorphic belts worldwide, including the Appalachians, Alps, and Himalaya.