Muscovite

  • What is it and where is it formed?  Muscovite is a mineral in the group called Micas.  It is found in igneous and metamorphic rock. 

  • How and where is it mined?  Muscovite is mined using underground mining.  It is found in India, Pakistan, Brazil, and the U.S.

  • What is it used for?  Muscovite is used as an insulator because it is heat resistant.  It is also used in roofing, cosmetics, and paints.

  • Interesting information:

    • Muscovite crystals can be really big and weigh a lot.  They can be 13 feet across and weigh tons!

    • This mineral can bend without breaking very easily.
Mineral Characteristic What the
mineralogists say		 Kid's Guide:  What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F, OH)2

It has potassium, oxygen, silicon, aluminum, fluorine, and hydrogen in it.
Color White or gray It is found mostly in these two colors but it can be found in others, too.
Streak colorless If you crush this mineral—no matter what color it is—it will form a colorless dust.
Transparency Transparent to translucent Light will go through it anywhere from clearly to blurrily.  You might be able to see through thin pieces of it. 
Luster Vitreous to pearly It would look glassy or pearly if you shined a light on it.
Cleavage Perfect If you break this mineral, it will split into sheets or layers.
Fracture Uneven but not seen often When this breaks, it usually doesn’t fracture into tiny pieces.
Magnetism None It will not attract, or be attracted to, a magnet.
Hardness 2.5 You can scratch it with your fingernail so it isn’t very hard.
Specific gravity 2.8 If you compared it to an equal volume of water, it would be about average.  If you held it in your hand, it would seem to be about an average weight for its size.
Crystal Shape Monoclinic

Monoclinic