Potassium Feldspar
(Orthoclase)

Crystal Network

Catamarca Province
Argentina

Muscovite Mica

Crystals 

BRAZIL


Diagnostic Features

Hardness: 2-2.5
Streak: White to none.
Luster: Nonmetallic
Specific Gravity: 2.8
Cleavage: Present in one direction. 
Fracture: None
Other: Mineral separates into perfectly parallel sheets.



Identification Tips

1.  Muscovite, like the other types of mica, consist of seemingly endless, flexible, transparent sheets ( see picture). Therefore, mica crystals are referred to as "books." You can separate the sheets easily with your fingernail.
2.  Muscovite possesses a silvery white to golden yellow sheen and this distinguishes it from other common mica types.

Mica "Book"
Photographs by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
BRAZIL
PAKISTAN
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
NORTH CAROLINA
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
NORWAY
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
MAINE
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
[Crystals in Calcite]

Shelby

Cleveland County
NORTH CAROLINA
[Botryoidal Crystals in Pegmatite]

Branchville Mine
Branchville

Fairfield County
CONNECTICUT
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
[Botryoidal Crystals in Pegmatite]

Branchville Mine
Branchville

Fairfield County
CONNECTICUT
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystal in Pegmatite]

Orchard Pegmatite

Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystals in Pegmatite]


Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystals in Pegmatite]


Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystal Cluster]

Aracui

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystal Cluster]

Aracui

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystal Cluster]

Aracui

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz

[Hexagonal Crystal Cluster]

Aracui

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Cluster on Clevelandite]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Cluster on Clevelandite]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Cluster on Clevelandite]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Cluster on Clevelandite]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Plate]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Plate]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Crystal Plate]

Galileia

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Brown Crystal Plate]

Guibault Mine
Hiddenite

Alexander County
NORTH CAROLINA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Brown Crystal Plate]

Guibault Mine
Hiddenite

Alexander County
NORTH CAROLINA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Brown Crystal Plate]

Guibault Mine
Hiddenite

Alexander County
NORTH CAROLINA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Hexagonal Crystal Stack]

Emmons Pegmatite
Uncle Tom Mountain
Greenwood

Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Hexagonal Crystal Stack]

Emmons Pegmatite
Uncle Tom Mountain
Greenwood

Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Hexagonal Crystal Stack]

Emmons Pegmatite
Uncle Tom Mountain
Greenwood

Oxford County
MAINE
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Hexagonal Crystal Stack]

Soda Spar Mine
Custer Mining District

Custer County
SOUTH DAKOTA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Hexagonal Crystal Stack]

Soda Spar Mine
Custer Mining District

Custer County
SOUTH DAKOTA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Paralellogram-Shaped Crystal Stack]

Aracuai

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Paralellogram-Shaped Crystal Stack]

Aracuai

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Silver Paralellogram-Shaped Crystal Stack]

Aracuai

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Intergrown Silvery Hexagonal Crystal Plates]

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Intergrown Silvery Hexagonal Crystal Plates]

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz

[Intergrown Silvery Hexagonal Crystal Plates]

Minas Gerais
BRAZIL