mineral

Muscovite Mica

KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Silver, yellow-brown, or translucent; Luster: Vitreous, pearly, or metallic; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, typically forming tabular crystals or distinct flexible sheets; Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage in one direction.

Hardness: 2-2
Color: Silver, yellow-brown, or translucent
Luster: Vitreous, pearly, or metallic

Identified August 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous environments like granitic pegmatites, as well as in metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses through regional metamorphism of argillaceous sediments.

Uses & applications

Used in electronics as an insulator, in cosmetics for a pearlescent sheen, as a filler in paints and plastics, and prized by mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Muscovite is known for its extreme flexibility and heat resistance. Historically, large sheets were used as windows in stoves and lanterns, earning it the old name 'Muscovy glass'.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its extremely shiny, sheet-like cleavage planes and flexible, elastic flakes. Found worldwide in pegmatite veins and metamorphic terrains.