mineral
Muscovite Mica
KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 2-2.5; Color: Colorless, silvery-white, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels into thin sheets).
- Hardness
- 2-2
- Color
- Colorless, silvery-white, or tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More mineral →
Explore Muscovite Mica in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 2-2.5; Color: Colorless, silvery-white, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect basal (peels into thin sheets).
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous rocks like pegmatites and granites, as well as metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses through the alteration of minerals under heat and pressure.
Uses & applications
Used as an electrical and thermal insulator in electronics, as a glitter effect in cosmetics/paints, and in drilling muds.
Geological facts
Commonly known as 'Isinglass', it was once used for oven windows because it is transparent and heat-resistant. Sheets can be peeled so thin they become flexible.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its unique 'book' structure and perfect cleavage that allows you to flake off transparent, plastic-like sheets with a fingernail.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary