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Muscovite

UNB-2017-0223Minerals » Silicates » Phyllosilicates

Description

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

Specifications

Object nameMuscovite
IDUNB-2017-0223
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
  • 1.5cm x 12.5cm x 9cm

Publications

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