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Muscovite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

This page kindly sponsored in memory of Laszlo Z. Valachi

Photos of Muscovite (2278)

Muscovite Gallery Search Photos of Muscovite

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Sericite, etc.

Cerro Quesgar, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash, Peru

Muscovite

Zé Pinto claim, Aldeia, Cuparaque, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Muscovite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland

Sericite, etc.

Cerro Quesgar, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash, Peru

Muscovite

Zé Pinto claim, Aldeia, Cuparaque, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Muscovite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland

Sericite, etc.

Cerro Quesgar, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash, Peru

Muscovite

Zé Pinto claim, Aldeia, Cuparaque, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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About MuscoviteHide

Muscovite from Northern Karelia in the window of XVII century.

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:

Dioctahedral mica Group > Mica Group

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.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Muscovite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

2815

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:2815:4

GUID
(UUID V4):

6555d00d-e8c3-4485-9209-15e6b685a47f

IMA Classification of MuscoviteHide

IMA status:

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

IMA Formula:

KAl₂(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂

Classification of MuscoviteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

9.EC.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets

Dana 7th ed.:

71.2.2.1

Dana 8th ed.:

71.2.2a.1

71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
2 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 layers

Hey's CIM Ref.:

16.3.8

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
3 : Aluminosilicates of K

Mineral SymbolsHide

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.

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 MuscoviteHide

Pronunciation:

Play	Recorded by	Country
	Jolyon Ralph	United Kingdom

Physical Properties of MuscoviteHide

Lustre:

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}.

Parting:

On {110} and {010}.

Fracture:

Micaceous

Density:

2.77 - 2.88 g/cm³ (Measured) 2.83 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of MuscoviteHide

Type:

Biaxial (-)

RI values:

n_α = 1.552 - 1.576 n_β = 1.582 - 1.615 n_γ = 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.

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 MuscoviteHide

Mindat Formula:

KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

Elements listed:

Al, H, K, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Cr,Li,Fe,V,Mn,Na,Cs,Rb,Ca,Mg,H₂O

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:

Mesoarchean to Neogene : 2890 Ma to 13.4 Ma - based on 82 recorded ages.

Crystallography of MuscoviteHide

Polytype:

Formula:

Crystal System:

Class (H-M)

Space Group:

Space Group Setting:

Cell Parameters:

Ratio:

Unit Cell Volume (calc):

Muscovite-1M	Muscovite-2M1	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 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)	V 937.77 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)	V 374.14 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystallographic forms of MuscoviteHide

Crystal Atlas:

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Muscovite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Muscovite no.12 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	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

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Muscovite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Richardson S M'
'Richardson J W'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 67 
_journal_year 1982
_journal_page_first 69
_journal_page_last 75
_publ_section_title
;
 Crystal structure of a pink muscovite from Archer's Post, Kenya: Implications
 for reverse pleochroism in dioctahedral micas
;
_database_code_amcsd 0000854
_chemical_formula_sum 'K Si3 Al3 O12 H2'
_cell_length_a 5.1988
_cell_length_b 9.0266
_cell_length_c 20.1058
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 95.782
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 938.715
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.818
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'C 1 2/c 1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,z'
  'x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
K   0.00000   0.09920   0.25000   1.00000
Si1   0.45100   0.25870   0.13550   0.75000
Al1   0.45100   0.25870   0.13550   0.25000
Si2   0.03540   0.42980   0.36460   0.75000
Al2   0.03540   0.42980   0.36460   0.25000
Al3   0.25060   0.08380   0.00020   1.00000
O1   0.38720   0.25250   0.05430   1.00000
O2   0.03660   0.44310   0.44590   1.00000
O3   0.41780   0.09310   0.16850   1.00000
O4   0.24750   0.37120   0.16850   1.00000
O5   0.25090   0.31320   0.34240   1.00000
O-H6   0.04220   0.06220   0.44920   1.00000
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
K 0.02548 0.03467 0.04034 0.00000 0.00482 0.00000
Si1 0.01545 0.01940 0.03041 -0.00118 0.00419 0.00183
Al1 0.01559 0.01940 0.03041 -0.00118 0.00419 0.00183
Si2 0.01355 0.02105 0.02838 -0.00237 0.00314 -0.00091
Al2 0.01355 0.02105 0.02838 -0.00237 0.00314 -0.00091
Al3 0.00989 0.01858 0.02635 0.00000 0.00105 0.00183
O1 0.02345 0.02807 0.03446 -0.00237 0.00629 0.00000
O2 0.02155 0.02724 0.03446 0.00378 0.00157 0.00732
O3 0.03483 0.03467 0.03446 0.00095 0.00629 0.00091
O4 0.02087 0.03632 0.04054 0.00402 0.00210 0.00274
O5 0.02656 0.03921 0.04662 0.00213 0.00210 -0.00640
O-H6 0.02656 0.03344 0.03649 -0.00426 0.00524 0.00091

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Image Loading

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 EnvironmentHide

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 MuscoviteHide

Sandbergerite (in part)

White mica (in part)

Other Language Names for MuscoviteHide

Catalan:Moscovita

Czech:Muskovit

Dutch:Muscoviet

Esperanto:Muskovito

Finnish:Muskoviitti

French:Muscovite
Argent des chats

Galician:Moscovita

German:Muskovit
Antonit
Astrolit
Kaliglimmer
Katzensilber
Muscovit
Muscowit
Frauenglas (in part)

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

Spanish:Moscovita
Antonita
Astrolita
Muscovita

Turkish:Muskovit

Varieties of MuscoviteHide

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 SpeciesHide

Member of:

Dioctahedral mica Group > Mica Group

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	K_0.60-0.85(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:

Paragonite	Muscovite-Paragonite Series
Celadonite	Muscovite-Celadonite Series

Common AssociatesHide

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 Hide

9.EC.	Balestraite	KLi₂V⁵⁺Si₄O₁₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.	Meifuite	KFe₆(Si₇Al)O₁₉(OH)₄Cl₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.05	Minnesotaite	Fe²⁺₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.05	Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.05	Willemseite	Ni₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.9.EC.	Voloshinite	Rb(LiAl_1.5◻_0.5)(Al_0.5Si_3.5)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.10	Ferripyrophyllite	Fe³⁺Si₂O₅(OH)	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.10	Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Tric. 1
9.EC.10	Luanshiweiite	KLiAl_1.5(Si_3.5Al_0.5)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.10	Fluorluanshiweiite	KLiAl_1.5(Si_3.5Al_0.5)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.10	Manganiceladonite	K(MgMn³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.10	Garmite	CsLiMg₂(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.10	Gorbunovite	CsLi₂(Ti,Fe)Si₄O₁₀(F,OH,O)₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Boromuscovite	KAl₂(BSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.15	Celadonite	K(MgFe³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Chernykhite	(Ba,Na)(V³⁺,Al,Mg)₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Montdorite	(K,Na)₂(Fe²⁺,Mn²⁺,Mg)₅(Si₄O₁₀)₂(OH,F)₄	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Nanpingite	CsAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Paragonite	NaAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Roscoelite	K(V³⁺,Al)₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Tobelite	(NH₄,K)Al₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Aluminoceladonite	K(MgAl◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Chromphyllite	K(Cr,Al)₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Ferroaluminoceladonite	K(Fe²⁺Al◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Ferroceladonite	K(Fe²⁺Fe³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Chromceladonite	K(MgCr◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.15	Tainiolite	KLiMg₂(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Ganterite	(Ba,Na,K)(Al,Mg)₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg	KLiMgAl₂Si₃O₁₀F₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Kreiterite	CsLi₂Fe³⁺(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Annite	KFe²⁺₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Ephesite	NaLiAl₂(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.20	Hendricksite	KZn₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Masutomilite	(K,Rb)(Li,Mn³⁺,Al)₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.20	Norrishite	KLiMn³⁺₂(Si₄O₁₀)O₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Polylithionite	KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.20	Preiswerkite	NaMg₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.20	Siderophyllite	KFe²⁺₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Tetraferriphlogopite	KMg₃(Fe³⁺Si₃O₁₀)(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Fluorotetraferriphlogopite	KMg₃(Fe³⁺Si₃O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Wonesite	(Na,K)(Mg,Fe,Al)₆((Al,Si)₄O₁₀)₂(OH,F)₄	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Eastonite	KMg₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Tetraferriannite	KFe²⁺₃(Si₃Fe³⁺)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Trilithionite	K(Li_1.5Al_1.5)(AlSi₃O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.20	Fluorannite	KFe²⁺₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Shirokshinite	K(NaMg₂)(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Shirozulite	KMn²⁺₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Sokolovaite	CsLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Aspidolite	NaMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Fluorophlogopite	KMg₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
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	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Yangzhumingite	KMg_2.5(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Orlovite	KLi₂Ti(Si₄O₁₀)OF	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.20	Oxyphlogopite	K(Mg,Ti,Fe)₃[(Si,Al)₄O₁₀](O,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Chloroferrokinoshitalite	(Ba,K)(Fe²⁺,Mg)₃(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(Cl,OH,F)₂
9.EC.22	Pimelite	Ni₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Hex.
9.EC.30	Chlorophaeite	(Ca,Mg,Fe)₂Fe₂Si₄O₁₃ · 10H₂O
9.EC.30	Margarite	CaAl₂(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.35	Anandite	(Ba,K)(Fe²⁺,Mg)₃((Si,Al,Fe)₄O₁₀)(S,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.35	Bityite	CaLiAl₂(AlBeSi₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.35	Clintonite	CaAlMg₂(SiAl₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.35	Kinoshitalite	(Ba,K)(Mg,Mn²⁺,Al)₃(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.35	Ferrokinoshitalite	(Ba,K)(Fe²⁺,Mg)₃(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.35	Oxykinoshitalite	(Ba,K)(Mg,Ti,Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(O,OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.35	Fluorokinoshitalite	BaMg₃(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.40	Beidellite	(Na,Ca_0.5)_0.3Al₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.40	Kurumsakite	(Zn,Ni,Cu)₈Al₈V⁵⁺₂Si₅O₃₅ · 27H₂O (?)	Orth.
9.EC.40	Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.40	Nontronite	Na_0.3Fe₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.40	Volkonskoite	Ca_0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.40	Yakhontovite	(Ca,Na)_0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 3H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.45	Hectorite	Na_0.3(Mg,Li)₃(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.45	Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O	Mon.
9.EC.45	Sauconite	Na_0.3Zn₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.45	Spadaite	MgSiO₂(OH)₂ · H₂O (?)
9.EC.45	Stevensite	(Ca,Na)_xMg_3-x(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.45	Swinefordite	Li(Al,Li,Mg)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)₂(OH,F)₄ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.45	Zincsilite	Zn₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ · 4H₂O (?)	Mon.
9.EC.45	Ferrosaponite	Ca_0.3(Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.45	Hanjiangite	Ba₂CaV³⁺Al(H₂AlSi₃O₁₂)(CO₃)₂F	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.50	Vermiculite	Mg_0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₈O₂₀(OH)₄ · 8H₂O	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.52	Tarasovite	near NaKAl₁₁Si₁₃O₄₀(OH)₉ · 3H₂O
9.EC.55	Baileychlore	(Zn,Fe²⁺,Al,Mg)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈	Tric. 1
9.EC.55	Chamosite	(Fe²⁺)₅Al(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Cookeite	(LiAl₄◻)[AlSi₃O₁₀](OH)₈	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.55	Franklinfurnaceite	Ca₂Fe³⁺Mn²⁺₃Mn³⁺(Zn₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.55	Gonyerite	(Mn²⁺,Mg)₅Fe³⁺(Fe³⁺Si₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Orth.
9.EC.55	Nimite	(Ni,Mg,Al)₆((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Orthochamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,O)₈
9.EC.55	Pennantite	Mn²⁺₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Tric.
9.EC.55	Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Donbassite	Al_4.33(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.55	Glagolevite	Na(Mg,Al)₆(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,O)₈	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.55	Borocookeite	(LiAl₄◻)[BSi₃O₁₀](OH)₈	Mon. m : Bb
9.EC.60	Aliettite	Ca_0.2Mg₆((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.60	Corrensite	(Mg,Fe)₉((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₁₀ · nH₂O	Orth.
9.EC.60	Dozyite	Mg₇Al₂(Al₂Si₄O₁₅)(OH)₁₂	Mon.
9.EC.60	Hydrobiotite	K(Mg,Fe²⁺)₆((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.60	Karpinskite	(Ni,Mg)₂Si₂O₅(OH)₂ (?)	Mon.
9.EC.60	Kulkeite	Mg₈Al(AlSi₇O₂₀)(OH)₁₀	Mon.
9.EC.60	Lunijianlaite	Li_0.7Al_6.2(AlSi₇O₂₀)(OH,O)₁₀	Mon.
9.EC.60	Rectorite	(Na,Ca)Al₄((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · 2H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.60	Saliotite	(Li,Na)Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₅	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.60	Tosudite	Na_0.5(Al,Mg)₆((Si,Al)₈O₁₈)(OH)₁₂ · 5H₂O	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.60	Brinrobertsite	Na_0.3Al₄(Si₄O₁₀)₂(OH)₄ · 3.5 H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.65	Macaulayite	(Fe,Al)₂₄Si₄O₄₃(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.70	Burckhardtite	Pb₂(Fe³⁺Te⁶⁺)[AlSi₃O₈]O₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
9.EC.75	Ferrisurite	(Pb,Ca)_2.4Fe³⁺₂(Si₄O₁₀)(CO₃)_1.7(OH)₃ · nH₂O	Mon.
9.EC.75	Surite	(Pb,Ca)₃(Al,Fe²⁺,Mg)₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(CO₃)₂(OH)₂	Mon. 2 : P2₁
9.EC.75	Niksergievite	(Ba,Ca)₂Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(CO₃)(OH)₆ · nH₂O	Mon.
9.EC.80	Kegelite	Pb₈Al₄(Si₈O₂₀)(SO₄)₂(CO₃)₄(OH)₈	Mon.

Other InformationHide

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 petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Internet Links for MuscoviteHide

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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

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References for MuscoviteHide

Reference List:

Woodard, H.H. (1951) The Geology and Paragenesis of the Lord Hill pegmatite, Stoneham, Maine. American Mineralogist: 36: 869-883.

Heinrich, E.W., Levinson, A.A. (1953) Studies in the mica group: mineralogy of the rose muscovites. American Mineralogist: 38: 25-49.

Yoder, H.S., Eugster, H.P. (1955) Synthetic and natural muscovites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta: 8: 225-280.

Yoder, H.S., jr. (1957): Experimental studies on micas: A synthesis. Clays and Clay Minerals 6, 42-60.

Crowley, M. S. and Roy, R. (1964): Crystalline solubility in the muscovite and phlogopite groups. American Mineralogist 49, 348-362.

Nicol, A.W. (1964) Topotactic transformation of muscovite under mild hydrothermal conditions. Clays and Clay Minerals: 12: 11-19.

Güven, N. (1967) The crystal structure of 2M1 phengite and 2M1 muscovite. Carnegie Inst. Washington Year Book: 66: 487-492.

Güven, N., Burnham, C. W. (1967): The crystal structure of 3T muscovite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 125, 163-183.

Brearley, A.J. (1986) An electron optical study of muscovite breakdown in pelitic xenoliths during pyrometamorphism. Mineralogical Magazine: 50: 385-397.

Guggenheim, S., Chang, Y.-H., and Koster van Groos, A.F. (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies. American Mineralogist: 72: 537-550.

Guidotti, C.V., Mazzoli, C., Sassi, F.P., Blencoe, J.G. (1992) Compositional controls on the cell dimensions of 2M1 muscovite and paragonite. European Journal of Mineralogy: 4: 283-292.

Gaines, Richard V., Skinner, H. Catherine W., Foord, Eugene E., Mason, Brian, Rosenzweig, Abraham, King, Vandall T. (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy (8th ed.) Wiley-Interscience. p.1872

Rieder, M., Cavazzini, G., D’Yakonov, Y.S., Frank-Kamenetskii, V.A., Gottardt, G., Guggenheim, S., Koval, P.V., Muller, G., Neiva, A.M.R., Radoslovich, E.W., Robert, J.L., Sassi, F.P., Takeda, H., Weiss, Z., Wones, D.R. (1998) Nomenclature of the micas. The Canadian Mineralogist, 36 (3) 905-912

Guidotti, C.V., Sassi, F.P., Comodi, P., Zanazzi, P.F., Blencoe, J.G. (2000): The contrasting responses of muscovite and paragonite to increasing pressure: petrological implications. Canadian Mineralogist 38, 707-712.

Busigny, V., Cartigny, P., Philippot, P., Javoy, M. (2003) Ammonium quantification in muscovite by infrared spectroscopy. Chemical Geology: 198: 21-31.

(2023) Muscovite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Significant localities for MuscoviteHide

Showing 17 significant localities out of 21,369 recorded on mindat.org.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

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Locality ListHide

- 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.


Canada
Québec Abitibi-Témiscamingue La Vallée-de-l'Or RCM Réservoir-Dozois ⓘ Cabonga Reservoir	Olivier Langelier Collection

Peru
Ancash Pallasca Province Pampas District ⓘ Pasto Bueno	collections of Rock Currier +1 other reference

Switzerland
Valais Martigny Mont Chemin mining district ⓘ Martigny road tunnel

USA
Arizona Mohave County Virgin Mountains Virgin Peak (Bunkerville Mountain) Hummingbird claims ⓘ Chad Mountain Pegmatite	Solomon Feinstein Collection. +1 other reference
California ⓘ Mariposa County	[Phengite var: Mariposite] Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 425. +2 other references
San Luis Obispo County Santa Lucia Mts (Santa Lucia Range) San Simeon ⓘ Beach cliffs	Ron Layton Collection
Connecticut Fairfield County Redding (Reading) Branchville ⓘ Fillow Quarry (Branchville Quarry; Branchville Mica Mine; Smith Mine)	Cameron +7 other references
Hartford County Glastonbury South Glastonbury ⓘ Simpson Quarry (Wiarda Quarry)	Rocks & Min 74:121 (1999) +1 other reference
Middlesex County East Hampton (Chatham) ⓘ Nathan Hall Quarry (Clark Hill Quarry)	LMSCC Newsletter +1 other reference
Haddam Haddam Neck ⓘ Gillette Quarry (J-J Mine; Haddam Neck Quarry)	Mineralogical Magazine 1902 13 : 97-121. +2 other references
ⓘ Hewitt Gem Quarry (Herb's Gem Quarry; Sawmill Quarry)	[var: Schernikite] Adam Berlutti collection
Portland Collins Hill Strickland pegmatite ⓘ Strickland Quarry	USGS Professional Paper 255: 333-338. +2 other references
ⓘ Pelton's Quarry	Januzzi et al. (1976)
New Haven County ⓘ Naugatuck	Anthony Scalzi collection
Illinois Calhoun County Gilead ⓘ Maquoketa Shale	[var: Illite] GSA Bulletin +4 other references
Maine Sagadahoc County Topsham ⓘ Fisher Quarry	[var: Schernikite] Cliff Trebilcock collection +1 other reference
North Carolina Catawba County Hickory ⓘ Martin Marietta Quarry (Hickory Quarry)	K. Wood collection
Mitchell County Spruce Pine ⓘ Chestnut Flats Mine	- (2005)
Pennsylvania Delaware County Middletown Township ⓘ Sharpless' Quarry (Sharpless Quarry)	Gordon
South Dakota Pennington County Keystone Mining District Keystone ⓘ Etta Mine	Dana 6: 1088 +5 other references
Texas Burnet County ⓘ Cactus Jack pegmatite	F Roberts

Muscovite

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