Judging quality
Look for large undamaged books with mirror-bright cleavage surfaces, or complete rosettes on matrix. Edges damage easily during extraction.
Mica
Muscovite
The common white mica, splitting into flexible transparent sheets. Star muscovite and pink Brazilian rosettes are the specimen forms.
Care
Extremely soft and flexible. Never soak; dust with a dry brush.
History & lore
Called muscovite because large sheets from Russia were used as window glass — 'Muscovy glass' — before flat glass was common.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Muscovite
- What is Muscovite?
- The common white mica, splitting into flexible transparent sheets. Star muscovite and pink Brazilian rosettes are the specimen forms.
- How hard is Muscovite and what is it made of?
- Muscovite is a Mica-family mineral with the composition KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and rates 2-2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in silver, pink, green.
- Where does Muscovite come from?
- Notable localities for Muscovite include Brazil, India, USA (Connecticut), Pakistan.
- How do you tell good Muscovite from filler?
- Look for large undamaged books with mirror-bright cleavage surfaces, or complete rosettes on matrix. Edges damage easily during extraction.
- How do you care for Muscovite?
- Extremely soft and flexible. Never soak; dust with a dry brush.
Related stones
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.