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Muscovite

UNB-2017-0071Minerals » Silicates » Phyllosilicates

Description

Sample of euhedral tabular white/brown Muscovite with a pearly lustre. Muscovite (KAl3Si3O10(OH)2) can be white, colourless, yellowish, greenish, pink, brownish or multicoloured. Lustre is vitreous or pearly and streak is colourless. Hardness is 2 to 2 1/2 and cleavage is perfect in one direction. Muscovite is usually found as tabular crystals that are often hexagonal in outline, can also be foliated, flaky, fine scaly to fibrous.

Specifications

Object nameMuscovite
IDUNB-2017-0071
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Silicates
Sub-group:
Phyllosilicates
Composition
  • (Al,Fe2+,Fe3+Li,Mg,Mn,Ni)5−6(Al,Fe3+,Si)4(O,OH)18
  • K(Fe,Mg)3AlSi3O10(OH)2
  • (Mg,Fe2+)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
  • Various (e.g., Muscovite - KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
  • Al2Si2O5(OH)4
  • K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2
  • Na2AlSi3O8·H2O
  • LiAlSi4O10
  • NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
  • D3[Si2O5](OH)4
  • Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2
OriginUnknown
Pieces1
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 0.1cm x 7.2cm x 5.7cm

Publications

  • Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.