metamorphic

Mica-rich schist (likely mica schist)

Mica schist, composed mainly of muscovite and/or biotite mica with quartz and feldspar

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Silvery-gray, strongly glittering and foliated, with visible flaky mica and uneven fractures. Mica has Mohs hardness about 2–3; quartz, if present, is about 7. Exact mineral proportions and density cannot be determined from the photograph.

Identified September 27, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Mica-rich schist (likely mica 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

Forms when clay-rich or other sedimentary rocks undergo regional metamorphism, aligning mica flakes into layers. Its age depends on the source rock and metamorphic event and cannot be inferred from appearance alone.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative stone and, locally, landscaping or building stone; mica-bearing material can also be a source of industrial mica, though this specimen appears primarily collectible.

Geological facts

The bright reflective flakes are characteristic of mica and produce schistosity, the rock’s layered texture.

Field identification & locations

Look for abundant visible mica flakes and a tendency to split along foliation; distinguish it from softer, more uniform phyllite by its coarser grains. Mica schist occurs in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide.