metamorphic

Mica-rich schist (likely biotite schist)

Mica schist, chiefly quartz and mica (biotite and/or muscovite); exact minerals cannot be confirmed from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Coarse, foliated rock with shiny, platy grains and gray-green to brown coloration. Mica has Mohs hardness about 2–3; quartz, if present, is 7. Schistosity is visible, but cleavage and specific gravity are not reliably determined from the photo.

Identified October 6, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when clay-rich or other aluminous sedimentary rock was buried and metamorphosed under heat and pressure, aligning mica into foliation. Its age and precise formation setting cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative or landscaping stone and as a teaching or collecting specimen; mica-bearing schist is generally not a major gemstone or construction material.

Geological facts

The glitter comes from reflective mica flakes, while the uneven layered texture is characteristic of schistosity. The image alone cannot establish whether the dark grains are biotite or identify accessory minerals.

Field identification & locations

Look for visible, aligned mica flakes and a tendency to split along wavy foliation; quartz-rich patches may resist splitting. Mica schists occur in metamorphic belts worldwide; confirm with a hand lens and hardness tests.