Muscovite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored in memory of Laszlo Z. Valachi
About Muscovite
Muscovite from Northern Karelia in the window of XVII century.
Northern Karelia, Republic of Karelia, Russia
Northern Karelia, Republic of Karelia, Russia
Formula:
KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Colour:
White to colorless, silvery-white, and tinged various colors by impurities.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.77 - 2.88
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
The earliest names attributable to muscovite include Muscovy Glass, Cat Silver, and Lapis Specularis (stone mirror); these names appearing in texts in the seventeenth century and before. The stand-alone name 'Muscovite' was used as early as 1794 by Johann Gottfried Schmeisser in his System of Mineralogy and is derived from the term "Muscovy glass," which was in common use by that time. Muscovy Province in Russia yielded sheet mica for a variety of uses. Muscovite and sometimes similar species were earlier called mica (Phillips and Kersey, 1706), glimmer (Phillips and Kersey, 1706), and isinglass (1747 according to OED) but all of these terms are still in use to some degree. It should be noted that mica, glimmer, and isinglass were also used for a variety of materials before these given dates and in those earlier times did not always indicate what would be a mineral, much less muscovite proper. Isinglass, for example, was originally used for a gelatinous bladder found in sturgeon.
Mica Group.
The most common of the Mica Group minerals, it is typically found as massively crystalline material in "books" or in flaky grains as a constituent of many rock types. It is clear with a pearly luster on cleavage faces, often having a sparkly look in rocks.
Several polytypes are known (see below); the most common one is the 2M1 polytype.
It can form a continuous series with celadonite and aluminoceladonite; intermediates are known as the variety phengite and K-deficient variants as illite.
May be confused with margarite and several lithium micas.
The most common of the Mica Group minerals, it is typically found as massively crystalline material in "books" or in flaky grains as a constituent of many rock types. It is clear with a pearly luster on cleavage faces, often having a sparkly look in rocks.
Several polytypes are known (see below); the most common one is the 2M1 polytype.
It can form a continuous series with celadonite and aluminoceladonite; intermediates are known as the variety phengite and K-deficient variants as illite.
May be confused with margarite and several lithium micas.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Muscovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2815
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2815:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6555d00d-e8c3-4485-9209-15e6b685a47f
IMA Classification of Muscovite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)2
Classification of Muscovite
9.EC.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
Dana 7th ed.:
71.2.2.1
71.2.2a.1
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
2 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
2 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 layers
16.3.8
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
3 : Aluminosilicates of K
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
3 : Aluminosilicates of K
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Ms | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Ms | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Ms | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Ms | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Ms | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Ms | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Pronunciation of Muscovite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Muscovite
Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White to colorless, silvery-white, and tinged various colors by impurities.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Comment:
2.5 parallel to [001], 4 perpendicular to [001]
Tenacity:
Elastic
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}.
Perfect on {001}.
Parting:
On {110} and {010}.
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
2.77 - 2.88 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.83 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Muscovite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.552 - 1.576 nβ = 1.582 - 1.615 nγ = 1.587 - 1.618
2V:
Measured: 30° to 47°, Calculated: 38° to 42°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.035 - 0.042
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; X ∧ c = 0°-5°; Y ∧ a = 1°-3°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Weak when colored
Comments:
Absorption: Faint, Y ≃ Z > X.
Chemistry of Muscovite
Mindat Formula:
KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Common Impurities:
Cr,Li,Fe,V,Mn,Na,Cs,Rb,Ca,Mg,H2O
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Mesoarchean to Neogene : 2890 Ma to 13.4 Ma - based on 82 recorded ages.
Crystallography of Muscovite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Muscovite-1M | Muscovite-1Md | Muscovite-2M1 | Muscovite-2M2 | Muscovite-3T |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monoclinic | Monoclinic | Trigonal | ||
2 - Sphenoidal | 2/m - Prismatic | 3 2 - Trapezohedral | ||
B2 | B2/b | P31 1 2 | ||
C2 | C2/c | |||
a = 5.186 Å, b = 8.952 Å, c = 10.12 Å β = 101.8° | a = 5.19 Å, b = 9.04 Å, c = 20.08 Å β = 95.5° | a = 5.1963(4) Å, c = 16 Å | ||
a:b:c = 0.579 : 1 : 1.13 | a:b:c = 0.574 : 1 : 2.221 | a:c = 1 : 3.079 | ||
V 459.89 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 937.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 374.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | ||
Crystallographic forms of Muscovite
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000854 | Muscovite | Richardson S M, Richardson J W (1982) Crystal structure of a pink muscovite from Archer's Post, Kenya: Implications for reverse pleochroism in dioctahedral micas American Mineralogist 67 69-75 | 1982 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001076 | Muscovite | Guggenheim S, Chang Y H, Koster van Groos A F (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies American Mineralogist 72 537-550 | 1987 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001077 | Muscovite | Guggenheim S, Chang Y H, Koster van Groos A F (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies American Mineralogist 72 537-550 | 1987 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001078 | Muscovite | Guggenheim S, Chang Y H, Koster van Groos A F (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies American Mineralogist 72 537-550 | 1987 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001079 | Muscovite | Guggenheim S, Chang Y H, Koster van Groos A F (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies American Mineralogist 72 537-550 | 1987 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001080 | Muscovite | Guggenheim S, Chang Y H, Koster van Groos A F (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies American Mineralogist 72 537-550 | 1987 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002013 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample GA1 from a pegmatite on Maddalena Island, Italy American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002014 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample RA1 from a pegmatite on Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002015 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample A4b from peraluminous granites at Sardinia, Italy American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002016 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample GFS15Ab from peraluminous granites at Sardinia, Italy American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002017 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample H87b from peraluminous granites at Sardinia, Italy American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002018 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample CC1b from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002019 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample C3-29b from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002020 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample B1b from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002021 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample C6Cb from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002022 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample C6Bb from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002023 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Frigieri P, Poppi L (1998) Crystal chemistry of Mg-, Fe-bearing muscovites-2M1 Sample C3-31b from peraluminous granites at Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica American Mineralogist 83 775-785 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0019256 | Muscovite | Mesto E, Scordari F, Lacalamita M, Schingaro E (2012) Tobelite and NH4+ -rich muscovite single crystals from Ordovician Armorican sandstones (Brittany, France): Structure and crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 97 1460-1468 | 2012 | Ordovician Armorican sandstones, Brittany, France | 0 | 293 | |
0005483 | Muscovite | Liang J, Hawthorne F C (1996) Rietveld refinement of micaceous materials: muscovite-2M1, a comparison with single-crystal structure refinement The Canadian Mineralogist 34 115-122 | 1996 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005484 | Muscovite | Liang J, Hawthorne F C (1996) Rietveld refinement of micaceous materials: muscovite-2M1, a comparison with single-crystal structure refinement The Canadian Mineralogist 34 115-122 | 1996 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005485 | Muscovite | Liang J, Hawthorne F C (1996) Rietveld refinement of micaceous materials: muscovite-2M1, a comparison with single-crystal structure refinement The Canadian Mineralogist 34 115-122 | 1996 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005549 | Muscovite | Liang J, Hawthorne F C, Swainson I P (1998) Triclinic muscovite: X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and photo-acoustic FTIR spectroscopy The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1017-1027 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005550 | Muscovite | Liang J, Hawthorne F C, Swainson I P (1998) Triclinic muscovite: X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and photo-acoustic FTIR spectroscopy The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1017-1027 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005733 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Kile D E, Poppi M (2001) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of lithium-bearing muscovite-2M1 The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1171-1180 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005734 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Kile D E, Poppi M (2001) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of lithium-bearing muscovite-2M1 The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1171-1180 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005735 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Kile D E, Poppi M (2001) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of lithium-bearing muscovite-2M1 O4 B33 is missing a zero The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1171-1180 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005736 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Kile D E, Poppi M (2001) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of lithium-bearing muscovite-2M1 The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1171-1180 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005737 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Kile D E, Poppi M (2001) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of lithium-bearing muscovite-2M1 The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1171-1180 | 2001 | 0 | 293 | ||
0006358 | Muscovite | Catti M, Ferraris G, Ivaldi G (1989) Thermal strain analysis in the crystal structure of muscovite at 700 C European Journal of Mineralogy 1 625-632 | 1989 | 0 | 298 | ||
0006359 | Muscovite | Catti M, Ferraris G, Ivaldi G (1989) Thermal strain analysis in the crystal structure of muscovite at 700 C T= 700 C European Journal of Mineralogy 1 625-632 | 1989 | 0 | 293 | ||
0006533 | Muscovite | Catti M, Ferraris G, Hull S, Pavese A (1994) Powder neutron diffraction study of 2M_1 muscovite at room pressure and at 2 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 6 171-178 | 1994 | 0 | 293 | ||
0006534 | Muscovite | Catti M, Ferraris G, Hull S, Pavese A (1994) Powder neutron diffraction study of 2M_1 muscovite at room pressure and at 2 GPa European Journal of Mineralogy 6 171-178 | 1994 | 2 | 293 | ||
0006546 | Muscovite | Amisano-Canesi A, Chiari G, Ferraris G, Ivaldi G, Soboleva S V (1994) Muscovite- and phengite-3T: crystal structure and conditions of formation European Journal of Mineralogy 6 489-496 | 1994 | Kazakhstan | 0 | 293 | |
0006547 | Muscovite | Amisano-Canesi A, Chiari G, Ferraris G, Ivaldi G, Soboleva S V (1994) Muscovite- and phengite-3T: crystal structure and conditions of formation European Journal of Mineralogy 6 489-496 | 1994 | Dora-Maira | 0 | 293 | |
0006858 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Galli E, Medici L, Poppi L, Cibin G, Marcelli A, Mottana A (2001) Chromium-containing muscovite: crystal chemistry and XANES spectroscopy European Journal of Mineralogy 13 377-389 | 2001 | Westland | 0 | 293 | |
0006859 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Galli E, Medici L, Poppi L, Cibin G, Marcelli A, Mottana A (2001) Chromium-containing muscovite: crystal chemistry and XANES spectroscopy European Journal of Mineralogy 13 377-389 | 2001 | Northwest Nelson - Campbell Creek | 0 | 293 | |
0006860 | Muscovite | Brigatti M F, Galli E, Medici L, Poppi L, Cibin G, Marcelli A, Mottana A (2001) Chromium-containing muscovite: crystal chemistry and XANES spectroscopy European Journal of Mineralogy 13 377-389 | 2001 | Northwest Nelson - Anatoki River | 0 | 293 | |
0007908 | Muscovite | Comodi P, Zanazzi P F (1995) High-pressure structural study of muscovite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 170-177 | 1995 | 0.05 | 293 | ||
0007909 | Muscovite | Comodi P, Zanazzi P F (1995) High-pressure structural study of muscovite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 170-177 | 1995 | 2.8 | 293 | ||
0007910 | Muscovite | Comodi P, Zanazzi P F (1995) High-pressure structural study of muscovite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 170-177 | 1995 | 0.0001 | 293 | ||
0007911 | Muscovite | Comodi P, Zanazzi P F (1995) High-pressure structural study of muscovite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 170-177 | 1995 | 2.7 | 293 | ||
0018220 | Muscovite | Radoslovich E (1960) The Structure of Muscovite, K Al2 (Si3 Al) O10 (O H)2 _cod_database_code 1100012 Acta Crystallographica 13 919-932 | 1960 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018279 | Muscovite | Gueven N, Burnham C (1966) The Crystal Structure of 3T Muscovite _cod_database_code 1101031 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 65 290-293 | 1966 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010646 | Muscovite | Guven N, Burnham C W (1967) The crystal structure of 3T muscovite Snohomish County, Washington, USA Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 125 163-183 | 1967 | in granodiorite near Sunrise Copper Prospect, Sultan Basin, | 0 | 293 | |
0019601 | Muscovite | Guven N (1971) The crystal structures of 2M1 phengite and 2M1 muscovite Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 134 196-212 | 1971 | Tiburon Peninsula, California, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0019602 | Muscovite | Guven N (1971) The crystal structures of 2M1 phengite and 2M1 muscovite Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 134 196-212 | 1971 | pegmatite in Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0018221 | Muscovite | Guven N, Burnham C (1966) The crystal structure of 3T muscovite _cod_database_code 1100014 Carnegie Institution of Washington: Yearbook 65 290-293 | 1966 | Sunrise copper prospect, Snohomish Co, Washington, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0012228 | Muscovite | Tomita K, Shiraki K, Kawano M (1998) Crystal structure of dehydroxylated 2M1 sericite and its relationship with mixed-layer mica/smectite Clay Science 10 423-441 | 1998 | Goto mine, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan | 0 | 293 | |
0012229 | Muscovite | Tomita K, Shiraki K, Kawano M (1998) Crystal structure of dehydroxylated 2M1 sericite and its relationship with mixed-layer mica/smectite Clay Science 10 423-441 | 1998 | 0 | 293 | ||
0019604 | Muscovite | Rule A C, Bailey S W (1985) Refinement of the crystal structure of phengite-2M1 Clays and Clay Minerals 33 403-409 | 1985 | Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara | 0 | 293 | |
0019597 | Muscovite | Knurr R A, Bailey S W (1986) Refinement of Mn-substituted muscovite and phlogopite Clays and Clay Minerals 34 7-16 | 1986 | Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 293 | |
0012259 | Muscovite | Gatineau L (1963) Localisation des remplacements isomorphiques dans la muscovite _cod_database_code 1000042 Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 256 4648-4649 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018219 | Muscovite | Birle J, Tettenhorst R (1968) Refined Muscovite structure _cod_database_code 1100010 Mineralogical Magazine 36 883-886 | 1968 | 0 | 293 | ||
0014475 | Muscovite | Martin-Ramos JD, Rodriguez-Gallego M (1982) Chromian mica from Sierra Nevada, Spain Mineralogical Magazine 46 269-272 | 1982 | Sierra Nevada, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0014740 | Muscovite | Rothbauer R (1971) Untersuchung eines 2M1-muskovits mit neutronenstrahlen Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1971 143-154 | 1971 | Diamond mine, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
10.01 Å | (100) |
5.02 Å | (60) |
4.48 Å | (60) |
4.46 Å | (70) |
3.35 Å | (100) |
3.21 Å | (50) |
2.59 Å | (50) |
2.56 Å | (90) |
Comments:
Data given are for the -2M^1 polytype.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
16 : Low-𝑇 aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
19 : Granitic intrusive rocks | |
20 : Acidic volcanic rocks | |
Near-surface Processes | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) | |
43 : Shear-induced minerals (including mylonite/slickensides) | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
Muscovite is common in many different rock types as a primary mineral.
Synonyms of Muscovite
Other Language Names for Muscovite
Catalan:Moscovita
Czech:Muskovit
Dutch:Muscoviet
Esperanto:Muskovito
Finnish:Muskoviitti
French:Muscovite
Argent des chats
Argent des chats
Galician:Moscovita
Hebrew:מוסקוביט
Hungarian:Muszkovit
Italian:Muscovite
Japanese:白雲母
Low Saxon/Low German:Muskovit
Polish:Muskowit
Portuguese:Muscovite
Russian:Серицит
Simplified Chinese:白云母
Slovak:Muskovit
Turkish:Muskovit
Varieties of Muscovite
Adamsite | A variety of muscovite, classed as a margarodite. Not to be confused with adamsite-(Y). Originally described from Derby, Orleans Co., Vermont, USA. |
Al-illite-hydromica | Variety of Illite very low in K and high in water. |
Alurgite | Name introduced by Breithaupt in 1865 and characterized by Penfield in 1893 (vide Knurr and Bailey, 1986). Placed by W. T. Schaller (1950) as an intermediate between leucophyllite (now a synonym of aluminoceladonite) and muscovite. A study of Knurr and Ba... |
Ammersooite | A variety of Illite capable of fixing Potassium, from Dutch fields. |
Astrolite | Spherical aggregates composed of radiating tabular crystals. Originally described from Pelz quarry, Diabase quarries, Neumark, Reichenbach, Vogtland, Saxony, Germany. |
Avalite | A chromian variety of Illite. Originally described from Mt Avala, Belgrade, Serbia. |
Barium- and Chromium-bearing Muscovite | A barium- and chromium-bearing muscovite. |
Barium-Vanadium-Muscovite | A barian vanadian variety of Muscovite. Originally reported from Silver Knob, Fish Camp, Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Co., California, USA. |
Barium-bearing Muscovite | A barium-rich variety of muscovite; probably equivalent to oellacherite; part of the series between muscovite and ganterite. |
Batchelorite | A green slaty mineral, originally described by W.F. Petterd (1910) from the Mt. Lyell mine, Tasmania. Re-analysis of visually identical material from the same locality by Bothwell and Moss (1957) showed it to be a slightly Cr-bearing muscovite, giving the... |
Chacaltaîte | A green chlorite-like varety of muscovite. Originally reported from Chacaltaya mine, Mt. Huayna Potosí (Huaina Potosi), Murillo Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia. |
Chromium-bearing Sericite | A chromium-bearing variety of sericite. See also fuchsite. |
Damourite | Very fine-grained, compact muscovite - with a greasy feel, "serpentine-like," and often a fibrous appearance when viewed from a certain direction. |
Ferrimuscovite | A variety of muscovite rich in ferric iron. |
Fuchsite | Greenish, Cr-bearing variety of muscovite (trivalent Cr replaces Al in the crystal structure). Note that trivalent V can also cause a greenish colour in muscovite (cf. vanadian muscovite, roscoelite). Compare mariposite, a Cr-bearing phengite. Originally... |
Gieseckite | Pseudomorphs of muscovite after an unknown mineral. Compare also liebenerite. |
Gilbertite | Compact variety of muscovite. The original chemical analysis of material from Stenagwyn, Cornwall, indicated no potassium or sodium ( Thomson, 1831). There were major amounts of silica and alumina, and minor amounts of CaO, MgO, and FeO. Thomson seems to... |
Illite | Illite is a very common mica and clay mineral, typically found as extremely fine-grained masses of grayish-white to silvery-gray, sometimes greenish-gray, material. The literature on "illite" is very large as it is a widespread component of many sediments... |
Illite Jade | A dense variety of illite with reddish banding (caused by microscopic inclusions of hematite), which is used for carving and as an ornamental stone. In addition to hematite, the material usually also contains small quantities of impurities such as quartz,... |
Iron(II)-bearing muscovite | An Fe(II)-bearing variety of muscovite. |
Leverrierite | A kaolinite-group clay. Originally reported from Saint-Etienne, Loire, Rhône-Alpes, France. |
Liebenerite | Muscovite pseudomorphous after nepheline, possibly also after cordierite. Compare also gieseckite. |
Lithium Muscovite (of Levinson) | A lithian muscovite with 3-4% Li2O |
Mariposite | A greenish Cr-bearing "phengite". See also fuchsite. Originally described from Mariposa Co., California, USA. |
Nickel and Chromium-rich Illite | The illite and a Ni-dominant trioctahedral mica are said to contain up to 22.8 wt.% NiO and up to 11.0 wt.% Cr2O3, which would be the largest as for world's micas at all. |
Oellacherite | A green to colorless, Ba-bearing/rich variety of muscovite; it forms a complete series with ganterite. |
Persbergite | Muscovite pseudomorphous after nepheline. Not to be confused with pajsbergite. |
Phengite | Phengite is an aluminous true mica which contains a relatively high amount of tetrahedrally co-ordinated Si (>3.1 apfu). As the Si amount increases, additional octahedrally co-ordinated cations are necessary for charge balance. This is an uncommon conditi... |
Rubidium-bearing Muscovite | Rubidium-bearing muscovite with Rb2O contents of 1 and more mass%. Usual rock-forming mineral in late stages of the evolution of many granitic rare-metal (Ta,Be,Cs) natro-lithian pegmatites. |
Schernikite | A pink variety of muscovite, described by Bowman (1902). |
Sericite | A term for a fine-grained white, pale green to oily greenish mica, mainly Muscovite (rarely Paragonite). |
Star muscovite | Muscovite forming star-shaped crystal aggregates. Especially nice specimens come from pegmatites in the Jenipapo district, Minas Gerais, Brazil. |
Vanadium-bearing Illite | A V-enriched "illite". |
Vanadium-bearing Muscovite | A V3+-bearing variety of muscovite. Al-dominant member of the muscovite-roscoelite solid-solution range. |
Verdite | Trade name for a green ornamental stone, primarily an impure fuchsite mica originally from North Kaap river, Kaap Station, South Africa. Consists primarily of Fuchsite with minor Albite, Chlorite Group, Corundum, Diaspore, Margarite, Quartz, Rutile and T... |
Wilsonite | Described as an Mn-bearing "sericite" or muscovite pseudomorph after scapolite. Hey lists it as an aluminosilicate of Mg and K. |
Zinc-bearing Muscovite | Zn-bearing variety from the "Mixed Series" formation, Nežilovo, Macedonia. Associates, i.a., with ferricoronadite. |
Relationship of Muscovite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m |
Celadonite Subgroup | A subgroup of the dioctahedral mica group. | |
Chromphyllite | K(Cr,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Glauconite | K0.60-0.85(Fe3+,Mg,Al)2(Si,Al)4O10](OH)2 | |
Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Natro-glauconite | (Na,K)(Fe3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 | |
Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
Roscoelite | K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Tobelite | (NH4,K)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2,861 photos of Muscovite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
2,199 photos of Muscovite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
1,618 photos of Muscovite associated with Aquamarine | Be3Al2Si6O18 |
1,446 photos of Muscovite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
1,362 photos of Muscovite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
821 photos of Muscovite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
808 photos of Muscovite associated with Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
714 photos of Muscovite associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
704 photos of Muscovite associated with Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
654 photos of Muscovite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EC. | Balestraite | KLi2V5+Si4O12 |
9.EC. | Meifuite | KFe6(Si7Al)O19(OH)4Cl2 |
9.EC.05 | Minnesotaite | Fe2+3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.05 | Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.05 | Willemseite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.9.EC. | Voloshinite | Rb(LiAl1.5◻0.5)(Al0.5Si3.5)O10F2 |
9.EC.10 | Ferripyrophyllite | Fe3+Si2O5(OH) |
9.EC.10 | Pyrophyllite | Al2Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Luanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Fluorluanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2 |
9.EC.10 | Manganiceladonite | K(MgMn3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Garmite | CsLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.10 | Gorbunovite | CsLi2(Ti,Fe)Si4O10(F,OH,O)2 |
9.EC.15 | Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chernykhite | (Ba,Na)(V3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Montdorite | (K,Na)2(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)5(Si4O10)2(OH,F)4 |
9.EC.15 | Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.15 | Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Roscoelite | K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Tobelite | (NH4,K)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Aluminoceladonite | K(MgAl◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chromphyllite | K(Cr,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.15 | Ferroaluminoceladonite | K(Fe2+Al◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Ferroceladonite | K(Fe2+Fe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chromceladonite | K(MgCr◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Tainiolite | KLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.15 | Ganterite | (Ba,Na,K)(Al,Mg)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg | KLiMgAl2Si3O10F2 |
9.EC.15 | Kreiterite | CsLi2Fe3+(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Annite | KFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Ephesite | NaLiAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Masutomilite | (K,Rb)(Li,Mn3+,Al)3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Norrishite | KLiMn3+2(Si4O10)O2 |
9.EC.20 | Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Preiswerkite | NaMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Siderophyllite | KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorotetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Wonesite | (Na,K)(Mg,Fe,Al)6((Al,Si)4O10)2(OH,F)4 |
9.EC.20 | Eastonite | KMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriannite | KFe2+3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Trilithionite | K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorannite | KFe2+3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
9.EC.20 | Shirokshinite | K(NaMg2)(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Shirozulite | KMn2+3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Sokolovaite | CsLi2Al(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Aspidolite | NaMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
9.EC.20 | UM2004-49-SiO:AlCsFHKLi | (Cs,K)(Al,Li)2.6((Si,Al)4O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Suhailite | (NH4)Fe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Yangzhumingite | KMg2.5(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Orlovite | KLi2Ti(Si4O10)OF |
9.EC.20 | Oxyphlogopite | K(Mg,Ti,Fe)3[(Si,Al)4O10](O,F)2 |
9.EC.20 | Chloroferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(Cl,OH,F)2 |
9.EC.22 | Pimelite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.30 | Chlorophaeite | (Ca,Mg,Fe)2Fe2Si4O13 · 10H2O |
9.EC.30 | Margarite | CaAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Anandite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3((Si,Al,Fe)4O10)(S,OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Bityite | CaLiAl2(AlBeSi2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Clintonite | CaAlMg2(SiAl3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Kinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Mn2+,Al)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Ferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.35 | Oxykinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(O,OH,F)2 |
9.EC.35 | Fluorokinoshitalite | BaMg3(Al2Si2O10)F2 |
9.EC.40 | Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Kurumsakite | (Zn,Ni,Cu)8Al8V5+2Si5O35 · 27H2O (?) |
9.EC.40 | Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.40 | Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
9.EC.45 | Hectorite | Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.45 | Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.45 | Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.45 | Spadaite | MgSiO2(OH)2 · H2O (?) |
9.EC.45 | Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.45 | Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O |
9.EC.45 | Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) |
9.EC.45 | Ferrosaponite | Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.45 | Hanjiangite | Ba2CaV3+Al(H2AlSi3O12)(CO3)2F |
9.EC.50 | Vermiculite | Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4 · 8H2O |
9.EC.52 | Tarasovite | near NaKAl11Si13O40(OH)9 · 3H2O |
9.EC.55 | Baileychlore | (Zn,Fe2+,Al,Mg)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Chamosite | (Fe2+)5Al(Si,Al)4O10(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Franklinfurnaceite | Ca2Fe3+Mn2+3Mn3+(Zn2Si2O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Gonyerite | (Mn2+,Mg)5Fe3+(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Nimite | (Ni,Mg,Al)6((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Orthochamosite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Pennantite | Mn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Sudoite | Mg2Al3(Si3Al)O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Donbassite | Al4.33(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Glagolevite | Na(Mg,Al)6(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Borocookeite | (LiAl4◻)[BSi3O10](OH)8 |
9.EC.60 | Aliettite | Ca0.2Mg6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
9.EC.60 | Corrensite | (Mg,Fe)9((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)10 · nH2O |
9.EC.60 | Dozyite | Mg7Al2(Al2Si4O15)(OH)12 |
9.EC.60 | Hydrobiotite | K(Mg,Fe2+)6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · nH2O |
9.EC.60 | Karpinskite | (Ni,Mg)2Si2O5(OH)2 (?) |
9.EC.60 | Kulkeite | Mg8Al(AlSi7O20)(OH)10 |
9.EC.60 | Lunijianlaite | Li0.7Al6.2(AlSi7O20)(OH,O)10 |
9.EC.60 | Rectorite | (Na,Ca)Al4((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
9.EC.60 | Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 |
9.EC.60 | Tosudite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)6((Si,Al)8O18)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
9.EC.60 | Brinrobertsite | Na0.3Al4(Si4O10)2(OH)4 · 3.5 H2O |
9.EC.65 | Macaulayite | (Fe,Al)24Si4O43(OH)2 |
9.EC.70 | Burckhardtite | Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6 |
9.EC.75 | Ferrisurite | (Pb,Ca)2.4Fe3+2(Si4O10)(CO3)1.7(OH)3 · nH2O |
9.EC.75 | Surite | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
9.EC.75 | Niksergievite | (Ba,Ca)2Al3(AlSi3O10)(CO3)(OH)6 · nH2O |
9.EC.80 | Kegelite | Pb8Al4(Si8O20)(SO4)2(CO3)4(OH)8 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Muscovite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
- Igneous rock
- Sedimentary rock and sediment
- Metamorphic rock
Internet Links for Muscovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2815.html
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References for Muscovite
Reference List:
Significant localities for Muscovite
Showing 17 significant localities out of 21,369 recorded on mindat.org.
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| Olivier Langelier Collection |
Peru | |
| collections of Rock Currier +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| |
USA | |
| Solomon Feinstein Collection. +1 other reference |
| [Phengite var: Mariposite] Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 425. +2 other references |
| Ron Layton Collection |
| Cameron +7 other references |
| Rocks & Min 74:121 (1999) +1 other reference |
| LMSCC Newsletter +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1902 13 : 97-121. +2 other references |
[var: Schernikite] Adam Berlutti collection | |
| USGS Professional Paper 255: 333-338. +2 other references |
Januzzi et al. (1976) | |
| Anthony Scalzi collection |
| [var: Illite] GSA Bulletin +4 other references |
| [var: Schernikite] Cliff Trebilcock collection +1 other reference |
| K. Wood collection |
| - (2005) |
| Gordon |
| Dana 6: 1088 +5 other references |
| F Roberts |
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Cerro Quesgar, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash, Peru