MUSCOVITE

Reporter: Jennifer L. Cafirma

 WHAT IS MUSCOVITE?

oIt is most common mineral of the mica family

o It is an important rock-forming mineral that is
easily cleaves into thin sheets.
o It crystallizes in the form of small hexagonal or
tabular “crisps”, as well as elongated sheets
and solid masses.
MUSCOVITE
 OCCURRENCES

• Muscovite is a commonly occurring mineral in

igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
• In igneous rocks, muscovite is common in pegmatite,
granites and granodiorites
• Muscovite is found in a wide variety of metamorphic
rocks including slate, schist, gneiss, hornfels and
quartzite
 HOW IS MUSCOVITE FORMED?

Muscovite can form during the regional

metamorphism of argillaceous rocks. The heat
and pressure of metamorphism transforms clay
minerals into tiny grains of mica which enlarge
as metamorphism progresses.
 WHY IS IT CALLED MUSCOVITE?

The name muscovite comes from Muscovy-glass,

a name given to the mineral in Elizabethan
England due to its use in medieval Russia
(Muscovy) as a cheaper alternative to glass in
windows.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF
MUSCOVITE
Color: Thick specimens often appear to be
black, brown, or silver in color; however,
when split into thin sheets muscovite is
colorless, sometimes with a tint of brown,
yellow, green, or rose
Streak: White, often sheds tiny flakes
Mohs Hardness: 2.5 to 3.0
Specific Gravity: 2.8 to 2.9
Luster: Pearly to vitreous
Diaphaneity: Transparent to
translucent
Cleavage: Perfect

Fracture: Micaceous

Crystal System: Monoclinic

Diagnostic Properties: Cleavage, color,
transparency
Chemical Classification: Silicate
Chemical Composition: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
 WHAT IS MUSCOVITE USED FOR?
Scrap, flake, and ground muscovite are used as fillers and
extenders in a variety of paints, surface treatments, and
manufactured products. The pearlescent luster of muscovite
makes it an important ingredient that adds "glitter" to paints,
ceramic glazes, and cosmetics. Used in electronics to make
insulators, capacitors, transistors.
THANK YOU