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Muscovite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

This page kindly sponsored in memory of Laszlo Z. Valachi

Photos of Muscovite (2503)Recorded Ages and Analyses Discuss Muscovite

Muscovite Gallery Search Photos of Muscovite

Edit Muscovite Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Muscovite, etc.

Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

Muscovite

Shannon Canyon, Inyo County, California, USA

Muscovite

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

Muscovite, etc.

Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

Muscovite

Shannon Canyon, Inyo County, California, USA

Muscovite

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

Muscovite, etc.

Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

Muscovite

Shannon Canyon, Inyo County, California, USA

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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.

The most common of the Mica Group minerals on the Earth's crust, 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 of the lithium micas.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Muscovite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

2815

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:2815:4

Similar NamesHide

Muscovite-3A

A synonym of 'Muscovite-3T'

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 (2026):

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 for Standard
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
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

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

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	48.202 %
Si	21.154 %
Al	20.322 %
K	9.816 %
H	0.506 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

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

View all 209 analyses with additional filters.

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:

Mesoarchean to Quaternary : 2890 Ma to 1.22 ± 0.06 Ma - based on 209 recorded ages.

Sample ages:

Sample ID	Recorded age	Geologic Time	Dating method
1	1.22 ± 0.06 Ma	Pleistocene	K-Ar
2	1.37 ± 0.05 Ma	Pleistocene	K-Ar
3	14.2 ± 0.6 Ma	Miocene	K-Ar
4	47.8 ± 1.9 Ma	Eocene	K-Ar
5	71.1 ± 1.4 Ma	Late/Upper Cretaceous	K-Ar
6	87 ± 4 Ma	Late/Upper Cretaceous
7	126.2 ± 1.2 Ma	Early/Lower Cretaceous	Ar-Ar
8	150 ± 5 Ma	Late Jurassic	Rb-Sr
9	192 Ma	Early Jurassic	Ar-Ar
10	233.7 ± 4.7 Ma	Late/Upper Triassic	K-Ar
11	263 Ma	Guadalupian	K-Ar
12	277.2 ± 5.5 Ma	Cisuralian	K-Ar
13	311 Ma	Pennsylvanian	K-Ar
14	338.6 ± 0.5 Ma	Mississippian	Ar-Ar
15	349.8 ± 3.9 Ma	Mississippian	Ar-Ar
16	365 Ma	Late/Upper Devonian	K-Ar
17	379.9 ± 3.8 Ma	Late/Upper Devonian	Ar-Ar
18	413.5 ± 4.7 Ma	Early/Lower Devonian	Ar-Ar
19	670 to 660 Ma	Cryogenian	Ar-Ar
20	2890 Ma	Mesoarchean	Rb-Sr

Sample references:

ID	Locality	Reference
1	Far Southeast Cu-Au deposit, Mankayan, Benguet Province, Cordillera Administrative Region, Luzon, Philippines	Arribas, A., Hedenquist, J. W., Itaya, T., Okada, T., Concepci
2	" "	Arribas, A., Hedenquist, J. W., Itaya, T., Okada, T., Concepci
3	Jas Roux, La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, Gap, Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France	Gasquet D, Bertrand J, Paquette J, Lehmann J, Ratzov G, De Ascen?
4	Seikyu mine, Daito, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan	Shibata K, Ishihara S (1974): K-Ar ages of the major tungsten and molybdenum deposits in Japan. Economic Geology 69(8) 1207-1214.
5	Lone Mountain Mining District, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA	Silberman, M. L., Bonham, H. F. Jr., Garside, L. J., Ashley, R. P. (1978) Radiometric ages of volcanic and plutonic rocks and hydrothermal alteration-mineralization in the Tonopah Mining District and vicinity, Nye and Esmerelda Counties, Nevada. United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-841. 1-48.
6	Magurka Au-Sb deposit, Partizánska Ľupča, Liptovský Mikuláš District, Žilina Region, Slovakia	Koh
7	Oreshnaya pegmatite vein, Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Krasnochikoysky District, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia	Zagorsky, V. E., & Peretyazhko, I. S. (2010, February). First 40 Ar/39 Ar Age determinations on the Malkhan granite-pegmatite system: geodynamic implications. In Doklady Earth Sciences, 430(2), 172-175.
8	Müllenbach U deposit, Baden-Baden, Karlsruhe Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Pfaff, Katharina, Romer, Rolf L., Markl, Gregor (2009) U-Pb ages of ferberite, chalcedony, agate, 'U-mica' and pitchblende: constraints on the mineralization history of the Schwarzwald ore district. European Journal of Mineralogy, 21 (4). 817-836 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2009/0021-1944
9	Dahongliutan pegmatite field, Hetian Co., Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, China	Li J., Zou T., Liu X., Wang D. and Ding X. (2015). The Metallogenetic Regularities of Lithium Deposits in China. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 89(2), 652-670.
10	Rožná deposit, Rožná, Žďár nad Sázavou District, Vysočina Region, Czech Republic	K?
11	Old Sandbed Mine, Caldbeck, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, UK	Ineson, P. R., Mitchell, J. G. (1974) K-Ar isotopic age determinations from some Lake District mineral localities. Geological Magazine, 111 (6). 521-537 doi:10.1017/s0016756800041571
12	Rožná deposit, Rožná, Žďár nad Sázavou District, Vysočina Region, Czech Republic	K?
13	Thornthwaite Mine, Thornthwaite, Above Derwent, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, UK	Ineson, P. R., Mitchell, J. G. (1974) K-Ar isotopic age determinations from some Lake District mineral localities. Geological Magazine, 111 (6). 521-537 doi:10.1017/s0016756800041571
14	Jílové gold mining district, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
15	Karakul’skoe deposit, Yustid ore cluster, Altai Republic, Russia	Tretiakova, I.G., Borisenko, A.S., Lebedev, V.I., Pavlova, G.G., Goverdovsky, V.A., Travin, A.V. (2010) Cobalt mineralization in the Altai–Sayan orogen: age and correlation with magmatism. Russian Geology and Geophysics, 51 (9) 1078-1090 doi:10.1016/j.rgg.2010.08.012
16	Brookfield gold mine, Queens Co., Nova Scotia, Canada	Ravenhurst, C. E., Reynolds, P. H., Zentilli, M., Krueger, H. W., & Blenkinsop, J. (1989) Formation of Carboniferous Pb-Zn and barite mineralization from basin-derived fluids, Nova Scotia, Canada.
17	Kharadzhul’skoe Cu–Co– As deposit, Khakassia, Russia	Tretiakova, I.G., Borisenko, A.S., Lebedev, V.I., Pavlova, G.G., Goverdovsky, V.A., Travin, A.V. (2010) Cobalt mineralization in the Altai–Sayan orogen: age and correlation with magmatism. Russian Geology and Geophysics, 51 (9) 1078-1090 doi:10.1016/j.rgg.2010.08.012
18	Abakanskoe deposit, Khakassia, Russia	Tretiakova, I.G., Borisenko, A.S., Lebedev, V.I., Pavlova, G.G., Goverdovsky, V.A., Travin, A.V. (2010) Cobalt mineralization in the Altai–Sayan orogen: age and correlation with magmatism. Russian Geology and Geophysics, 51 (9) 1078-1090 doi:10.1016/j.rgg.2010.08.012
19	Udereiskoe, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia	Nozhkin, A. D., Borisenko, A. S., & Nevol
20	Wodgina Tantalite Mine, Wodgina, Abydos Station, Port Hedland Shire, Western Australia, Australia	Sweetapple, Marcus T., Collins, Peter L. F. (2002) Genetic Framework for the Classification and Distribution of Archean Rare Metal Pegmatites in the North Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. Economic Geology, 97 (4) 873-895 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.97.4.873

Chemical AnalysisHide

Oxide wt%:

Showing 12 of 13 analyses on this page.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
SiO₂	48.21 %	52.82 %	49.07 %	49.40 %	49.32 %	50.89 %	48.93 %	51.86 %	51.72 %	51.69 %	51.25 %	44.96 %
TiO₂	1.06 %	0.29 %	0.32 %	0.45 %	0.19 %	0.36 %	0.39 %	0.38 %	0.02 %	0.16 %	0.32 %	0.04 %
Al₂O₃	32.13 %	23.34 %	32.04 %	31.66 %	29.03 %	27.40 %	28.05 %	24.85 %	27.14 %	23.52 %	23.94 %	37.39 %
FeO	5.46 %	0.12 %	1.18 %	1.65 %	2.20 %	1.06 %	2.25 %	1.73 %	3.27 %	1.96 %	3.06 %	0.04 %
MgO	0.25 %	5.93 %	2.39 %	2.39 %	3.08 %	3.89 %	3.36 %	4.68 %	3.34 %	4.89 %	4.40 %	0.02 %
MnO	0.09 %	0.04 %				0.06 %	0.09 %	0.05 %	0.04 %	0.04 %	0.00 %	0.02 %
Na₂O	1.04 %	0.16 %	1.52 %	0.91 %		0.84 %	0.68 %	0.25 %	0.04 %	0.12 %	0.36 %	0.81 %
K₂O	8.56 %	11.07 %	9.30 %	10.9 %	11.07 %	10.09 %	10.30 %	10.86 %	8.95 %	10.79 %	10.66 %	10.68 %
P₂O₅	0.03 %	0.00 %
CaO		0.00 %	0.02 %	0.05 %		0.14 %	0.06 %	0.07 %	0.31 %		0.00 %	0.01 %
Cr₂O₃						0.24 %	0.15 %	0.12 %	0.07 %	0.04 %	0.32 %	0.01 %
BaO												0.01 %
F												0.00 %
Cl												0.02 %
H₂O												4.46 %
O=F,Cl
Total:	96.83 %	93.77 %	95.84 %	97.41 %	94.89 %	94.97 %	94.26 %	94.85 %	94.9 %	93.21 %	94.31 %	98.47 %

Empirical formulas:

Sample ID	Empirical Formula
5	K_0.95Al_1.50(Mg_0.31 Fe²⁺_0.12 Al_0.11)_Σ0.5(Al_0.68Ti_0.01Si_3.31)_Σ4.00O₁₀OH₂
6	(K_0.86Na_0.11 )_Σ0.97(Al _1.46 Cr _0.01 Ca_0.01Mg_0.39Fe_0.06 Ti_0.02)_Σ1.95(Al_0.61Si_3.39O₁₀)OH₂
13	K_0.91Na_0.09(Mg_0.42 Fe_0.08 Ca_0.01Mn_0.01Al_1.51)_Σ1.93(Al_0.59Si_3.41)_Σ4.00O₁₀OH₂
7	K_0.89Na_0.09(Mg_0.34 Fe_0.13 Mn_0.01 Ti_0.02Al_1.51)_Σ2.11(Al_0.69Si_3.31)_Σ4.00O₁₀OH₂
8	K_0.93Na_0.03(Mg_0.47 Fe_0.10 Ca_0.01Ti_0.02Al_1.44)_Σ2.04(Al_0.52Si_3.48)_Σ4.00O₁₀OH₂
9	K_0.76Na_0.01(Mg_0.33 Fe_0.18 Ca_0.02 Al_1.54)_Σ2.07(Al_0.58Si_3.42)_Σ4.00O₁₀OH₂

Sample references:

ID	Locality	Reference	Notes
1	Kawadgaon-Challanpara pegmatite field, Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh, India	Singh, Yamuna, Pandit, P. S. C., Bagora, Sanjay, Jain, P. K. (2017) Mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of co-genetic granite-pegmatite-hosted rare metal and rare earth deposits of the Kawadgaon area, Bastar craton, Central India. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 89 (2) 115-130 doi:10.1007/s12594-017-0574-2	Muscovite from granite pegmatite. EMPA analysis
2	Case Parigi, Martiniana Po, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy	Schertl, H. -P., Schreyer, W., Chopin, C. (1991) The pyrope-coesite rocks and their country rocks at Parigi, Dora Maira Massif, Western Alps: detailed petrography, mineral chemistry and PT-path. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 108 (1) 1-21 doi:10.1007/bf00307322	Sample from fine grained matrix of coesite-phenige-pyrope schist Mineral analyses were performed by means of the Cameca electron microprobe (CAMEBAX) , using a wavelength-dispersive technique with PAP correction acceleration voltage 15 kV, beam current 15 nA, measuring time 20 s).
3	Gablor Hill eclogites, Kulp district, Diyarbakir Province, Turkey	Okay, A. I.; Arman, M. B.; Göncüoglu, M. C. (1985) Petrology and phase relations of the kyanite-eclogites from eastern Turkey. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 91 (2). 196-204 doi:10.1007/bf00377767	colorless mica-flake in kyanite-eclogite. EMPA analysis
4	" "	Okay, A. I.; Arman, M. B.; Göncüoglu, M. C. (1985) Petrology and phase relations of the kyanite-eclogites from eastern Turkey. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 91 (2). 196-204 doi:10.1007/bf00377767	colorless mica-flake in kyanite-eclogite. EMPA analysis
5	Charakoma eclogite, Soufli, Evros, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece	Mposkos, E.; Baziotis, I.; Proyer, A. (2011) Pressure–temperature evolution of eclogites from the Kechros complex in the Eastern Rhodope (NE Greece). International Journal of Earth Sciences, 101 (4). 973-996 doi:10.1007/s00531-011-0699-2	EMPA analysis of a primary phengite in an kyanite-eclogite.
6	Eissee eclogite, Timmelbach valley, Prägraten am Großvenediger, Lienz District, Tyrol, Austria	Hoschek, Gert (2004) Comparison of calculated P-T pseudosections for a kyanite eclogite from the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps, Austria. European Journal of Mineralogy, 16 (1) 59-72 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2004/0016-0059	EMPA analysis of a phengite inclusion in garnet from a kyanite-eclogite
7	Steinsteg eclogite, Frosnitz valley, Matrei in Osttirol, Lienz District, Tyrol, Austria	Hoschek, G (2001) Thermobarometry of metasediments and metabasites from the Eclogite zone of the Hohe Tauern, Eastern Alps, Austria. Lithos, 59 (3) 127-150 doi:10.1016/s0024-4937(01)00063-9	EMPA analysis of a matrix phengite in a post eclogite-facies mica schists.
8	" "	Hoschek, G (2001) Thermobarometry of metasediments and metabasites from the Eclogite zone of the Hohe Tauern, Eastern Alps, Austria. Lithos, 59 (3) 127-150 doi:10.1016/s0024-4937(01)00063-9	EMPA analysis of a phengite inclusion in amphibole from a post eclogite-facies mica schists.
9	Obidim eclogite, Bansko Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria	Janák, M.; Froitzheim, N.; Georgiev, N.; Nagel, T. J.; Sarov, S. (2011) P-T evolution of kyanite eclogite from the Pirin Mountains (SW Bulgaria): implications for the Rhodope UHP Metamorphic Complex. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 29 (3). 317-332 doi:10.1111/j.1525-1314.2010.00920.x	EMPA analysis ( State Geological Institute of Dionyz Stur in Bratislava).of a phengite inclusion in garnet from a kyanite-eclogite
10	Eclogite outcrops, Shang Sumdo région, Leh District, Ladakh, India	Sachan, K. H.; Bodnar, R. J.; Islam, R.; Szabo, Cs.; Lawi, R. D. (1999) Exhumation History of Eclogites from the Tso-Morari Crystalline Complex in Eastern Ladakh: Mineralogical and Fluid Inclusion Constraints. Journal Geological Society of India, 53 (2). 181-190 doi:10.17491/jgsi/1999/530205	EMPA analysis of phengite from eclogite matrix.
11	Weiß‑Spitze eclogites, Virgen valley, Lienz District, Tyrol, Austria	THOMAS, S.; FRANZ, G. (1988) Kluftminerale und ihre Bildungsbedingungen in Gesteinen der Eklogitzone/Südvenediger-Gebiet (Hohe Tauern, Österreich). Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geologischen Gesellschaft, 81. 189-218	Phengite from a banded eclogite. EMPA analysis
12	Beluga sapphire property, Kimmirut, Baffin Island, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada	Belley, Philippe M., Dzikowski, Tashia J., Fagan, Andrew, Cempírek, Jan, Groat, Lee A., Mortensen, James K., Fayek, Mostafa, Giuliani, Gaston, Fallick, Anthony E., Gertzbein, Paul (2017) Origin Of Scapolite-Hosted Sapphire (Corundum) Near Kimmirut, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Canadian Mineralogist, 55 (4) 669-699 doi:10.3749/canmin.1700018	OH Calculated OH=2-F-Cl
13	Steinsteg eclogite, Frosnitz valley, Matrei in Osttirol, Lienz District, Tyrol, Austria	Hoschek, G (2001) Thermobarometry of metasediments and metabasites from the Eclogite zone of the Hohe Tauern, Eastern Alps, Austria. Lithos, 59 (3) 127-150 doi:10.1016/s0024-4937(01)00063-9	EMPA anallysis of phengite from a kyanite-eclogite

Crystallography of MuscoviteHide

Polytype:

Formula:

Crystal System:

Class (H-M)

Space Group:

Space Group Setting:

Cell Parameters:

Ratio:

Unit Cell Volume (calc):

Comment:

Muscovite-1M	Muscovite-1Md	Muscovite-2M1	Muscovite-2M2	Muscovite-3T
KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
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)

From Russian structure solution (1975).		5 . 1 9 b = 9 . 0 4 c = 2 0 . 0 8 ̄ = 9 5 ± 3 0

Crystallographic forms of MuscoviteHide

Crystal Atlas:

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Muscovite no.7 - {001} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Muscovite no.12 - {001} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
0018219	Muscovite	Birle J, Tettenhorst R (1968) Refined Muscovite structure _cod_database_code 1100010 Mineralogical Magazine 36 883-886	1968		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
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
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
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
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
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
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

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Muscovite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Mesto E'
'Scordari F'
'Lacalamita M'
'Schingaro E'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 97 
_journal_year 2012
_journal_page_first 1460
_journal_page_last 1468
_publ_section_title
;
 Tobelite and NH4+ -rich muscovite single crystals from Ordovician Armorican
 sandstones (Brittany, France): Structure and crystal chemistry
 Note: sample musc_4
;
_database_code_amcsd 0019256
_chemical_compound_source 'Ordovician Armorican sandstones, Brittany, France'
_chemical_formula_sum 'K.465 Na.03 Ba.01 N.36 H2.86 Al2.73 Si3.128 O11.236'
_cell_length_a 9.027
_cell_length_b 5.1999
_cell_length_c 20.616
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 100.113
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 952.670
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.576
_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
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
K   0.00000   0.10420   0.25000   0.46500   0.02900
Na   0.00000   0.10420   0.25000   0.03000   0.02900
Ba   0.00000   0.10420   0.25000   0.01000   0.02900
N   0.00000   0.10420   0.25000   0.36000   0.02900
H   0.00000   0.10420   0.25000   1.44000   0.02900
AlM2   0.08300   0.25000   0.00010   0.92900   0.01110
SiT1   0.12320   0.58640   0.13330   0.78200   0.01280
AlT1   0.12320   0.58640   0.13330   0.21800   0.01280
SiT2   0.29480   0.10470   0.13315   0.78200   0.01440
AlT2   0.29480   0.10470   0.13315   0.21800   0.01440
O1   0.07850   0.55800   0.05280   0.94000   0.01500
O2   0.27040   0.13700   0.05280   0.94200   0.01600
O3   0.19640   0.31800   0.16590   0.93200   0.01700
O4   0.47220   0.14800   0.16520   0.93300   0.02000
O5   0.24910   0.81300   0.15390   0.94100   0.02200
O-H6   0.95670   0.05970   0.04900   0.93000   0.01200
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 0.02700 0.02400 0.03500 0.00000 0.00480 0.00000
Na 0.02700 0.02400 0.03500 0.00000 0.00480 0.00000
Ba 0.02700 0.02400 0.03500 0.00000 0.00480 0.00000
N 0.02700 0.02400 0.03500 0.00000 0.00480 0.00000
H 0.02700 0.02400 0.03500 0.00000 0.00480 0.00000
AlM2 0.01300 0.00800 0.01300 0.00070 0.00290 0.00200
SiT1 0.01170 0.01100 0.01600 0.00120 0.00360 0.00070
AlT1 0.01170 0.01100 0.01600 0.00120 0.00360 0.00070
SiT2 0.01400 0.01100 0.01900 -0.00200 0.00530 -0.00110
AlT2 0.01400 0.01100 0.01900 -0.00200 0.00530 -0.00110

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...

2θ (degrees) d-spacing (Å)

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), or with the chemical warfare agent of the same name, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adamsite 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.
Cr–Ni-rich illite	Alkali-deficient, dioctahedral mica with <14% NiO and <11wt.% Cr₂O₃
Damourite	Very fine-grained, compact muscovite - with a greasy feel, "serpentine-like," and often a fibrous appearance when viewed from a certain direction.
Degraded illite	Illite that has lost much of its potassium as the result of prolonged leaching. Ref: AGI
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.
Lithian Muscovite	A lithium-bearing variety of Muscovite. A red muscovite does not necessarily imply that the muscovite is lithium rich. Chemical analyses have indicated that muscovite can be pink, not due to Li content, but rather the color is due to the dominance of Mn³⁺...
Lithium Muscovite (of Levinson)	Supposedly a lithian muscovite with 3-4% Li2O. Note that this composition is probably a Li-poor trilithionite.
Mariposite	A greenish Cr-bearing "phengite", sericite or muscovite, probably equivalent to fuchsite. Originally described from Mariposa Co., California, USA. Also used to describe a rock rich in this mineral.
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 (“white mica”) which contains a relatively high amount of tetrahedrally co-ordinated Si (3.1-3.5 apfu). As the Si amount increases, some divalent octahedrally co-ordinated cations (mostly ferrous Fe and Mg) are neces...
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 fibrous, typically 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 Dioctahedral mica:

Boromuscovite	KAl₂(BSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m
Celadonite Subgroup	A subgroup of the dioctahedral mica group.
Chromphyllite	KCr₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)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	KV³⁺₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Tobelite	(NH₄)Al₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m

Forms a series with:

Paragonite	Muscovite-Paragonite Series
Celadonite	Muscovite-Celadonite Series

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:

3,363 photos of Muscovite associated with Quartz	SiO₂
2,528 photos of Muscovite associated with Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
1,796 photos of Muscovite associated with 'Aquamarine'
1,550 photos of Muscovite associated with Fluorite	CaF₂
1,458 photos of Muscovite associated with Fluorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃F
901 photos of Muscovite associated with Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
897 photos of Muscovite associated with Schorl	NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
802 photos of Muscovite associated with Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
788 photos of Muscovite associated with Spessartine	Mn²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
712 photos of Muscovite associated with Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.EC.	Meifuite	KFe₆(Si₇Al)O₁₉(OH)₄Cl₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.	Balestraite	KLi₂V⁵⁺Si₄O₁₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.05	Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.05	Minnesotaite	Fe²⁺₃Si₄O₁₀(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	Fluorluanshiweiite	KLiAl_1.5(Si_3.5Al_0.5)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.10	Garmite	CsLiMg₂(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.10	Gorbunovite	CsLi₂(Ti,Fe)Si₄O₁₀(F,OH,O)₂	Mon.
9.EC.10	Ferripyrophyllite	Fe³⁺Si₂O₅(OH)	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.10	Manganiceladonite	K(MgMn³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.10	Luanshiweiite	KLiAl_1.5(Si_3.5Al_0.5)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.10	Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂	Tric. 1
9.EC.15	Paragonite	NaAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Ferroaluminoceladonite	K(Fe²⁺Al◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Nanpingite	CsAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Ferroceladonite	K(Fe²⁺Fe³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Ganterite	Ba_0.5(Na,K)_0.5Al₂(Si_2.5Al_1.5)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Kreiterite	CsLi₂Fe³⁺(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Roscoelite	KV³⁺₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Aluminoceladonite	K(MgAl◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Tobelite	(NH₄)Al₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Tainiolite	KLiMg₂(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Celadonite	K(MgFe³⁺◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Chromceladonite	K(MgCr◻)(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.15	Montdorite	KFe²⁺_1.5Mn²⁺_0.5Mg_0.5Si₄O₁₀(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.15	Chromphyllite	KCr₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.15	Boromuscovite	KAl₂(BSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.15	'UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg'	KLiMgAl₂Si₃O₁₀F₂	Mon.
9.EC.15	Chernykhite	(Ba,Na)(V³⁺,Al,Mg)₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Masutomilite	K(LiAlMn²⁺)[AlSi₃O₁₀]F₂	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.20	Siderophyllite	KFe²⁺₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Sokolovaite	CsLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon.
9.EC.20	Hendricksite	KZn₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Tetraferriphlogopite	KMg₃(Si₃Fe³⁺)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Fluorannite	KFe²⁺₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Aspidolite	NaMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Suhailite	(NH₄)Fe²⁺₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Ephesite	NaLiAl₂(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
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	Yangzhumingite	KMg_2.5(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Orlovite	KLi₂Ti(Si₄O₁₀)OF	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.20	Tetraferriannite	KFe²⁺₃(Si₃Fe³⁺)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Shirokshinite	K(NaMg₂)(Si₄O₁₀)F₂	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	Polylithionite	KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.20	Shirozulite	KMn²⁺₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Preiswerkite	NaMg₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EC.20	Fluorophlogopite	KMg₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Wonesite	(Na,K,◻)(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₈O₂₀(OH,F)₄	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	Fluorotetraferriphlogopite	KMg₃(Fe³⁺Si₃O₁₀)F₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Annite	KFe²⁺₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.20	Eastonite	KMg₂Al(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
9.EC.22	'Pimelite'	Ni₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Hex.
9.EC.30	Margarite	CaAl₂(Al₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
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	Clintonite	CaAlMg₂(SiAl₃O₁₀)(OH)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.35	Bityite	CaLiAl₂(AlBeSi₂O₁₀)(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.40	Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O	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	Volkonskoite	Ca_0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.40	Nontronite	Na_0.3Fe₂((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	Yakhontovite	(Ca,Na)_0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 3H₂O	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	Hectorite	Na_0.3(Mg,Li)₃(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.45	Zincsilite	Zn₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ · 4H₂O (?)	Mon.
9.EC.45	Hanjiangite	Ba₂CaV³⁺Al(H₂AlSi₃O₁₂)(CO₃)₂F	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.45	Spadaite	MgSiO₂(OH)₂ · H₂O (?)
9.EC.45	Ferrosaponite	Ca_0.3(Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.45	Stevensite	(Ca,Na)_xMg_3-x(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂	Mon.
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.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	Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Borocookeite	(LiAl₄◻)[BSi₃O₁₀](OH)₈	Mon. m : Bb
9.EC.55	Franklinfurnaceite	Ca₂Fe³⁺Mn²⁺₃Mn³⁺(Zn₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.55	Pennantite	Mn²⁺₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Tric.
9.EC.55	Vakhrushevaite	Mg₅Cr(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Tric. 1
9.EC.55	Nimite	Ni₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Cookeite	(LiAl₄◻)[AlSi₃O₁₀](OH)₈	Mon. 2/m
9.EC.55	Gonyerite	Mn²⁺₅Fe³⁺(Fe³⁺Si₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Orth.
9.EC.55	Chamosite	Fe²⁺₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	'Orthochamosite'	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,O)₈
9.EC.55	Baileychlore	Zn₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Tric. 1
9.EC.55	Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.55	Glagolevite	Na(Mg,Al)₆(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH,O)₈	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EC.55	Donbassite	Al_4.33(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.60	Dozyite	Mg₇Al₂(Al₂Si₄O₁₅)(OH)₁₂	Mon.
9.EC.60	Rectorite	(Na,Ca)Al₄((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · 2H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.60	Corrensite	(Mg,Fe)₉((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₁₀ · nH₂O	Orth.
9.EC.60	Aliettite	Ca_0.2Mg₆((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EC.60	Karpinskite	(Ni,Mg)₂Si₂O₅(OH)₂ (?)	Mon.
9.EC.60	Lunijianlaite	Li_0.7Al_6.2(AlSi₇O₂₀)(OH,O)₁₀	Mon.
9.EC.60	Tosudite	Na_0.5(Al,Mg)₆((Si,Al)₈O₁₈)(OH)₁₂ · 5H₂O	Mon. 2 : B2
9.EC.60	Hydrobiotite	K(Mg,Fe²⁺)₆((Si,Al)₈O₂₀)(OH)₄ · nH₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.60	Saliotite	(Li,Na)Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₅	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EC.60	Kulkeite	Mg₈Al(AlSi₇O₂₀)(OH)₁₀	Mon.
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	Niksergievite	(Ba,Ca)₂Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(CO₃)(OH)₆ · nH₂O	Mon.
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.80	Kegelite	Pb₈Al₄(Si₈O₂₀)(SO₄)₂(CO₃)₄(OH)₈	Mon.

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:

Element	% Content	Activity (Bq/kg)	Radiation Type
Uranium (U)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Thorium (Th)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Potassium (K)	9.8161%	3,043	β, γ

For comparison:

Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Mass of radioactive mineral:

Shielding material:

Activity: –

Distance	Dose rate	Risk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μ_shield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((A_U × Γ_U) + (A_Th × Γ_Th) + (A_K × Γ_K)) / r² × μ_shield

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

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-2815.html
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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

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References for MuscoviteHide

Reference List:

Baumhauer, H. (1900) Ueber die Krystallformen des Muscovit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 32 (1-6). 164-176 doi:10.1524/zkri.1900.32.1.164

Baumhauer, H. (1913) Über den Krystallbau der Lithionglimmer und die Verwachsung von Lepidolith und Muscovit. Zeitschrift für Krystallographie, 51 (1-6). 344-357 doi:10.1524/zkri.1913.51.1.344

Gruner, John W. (1939) Formation and stability of muscovite in acid solutions at elevated temperatures. American Mineralogist, 24 (10) 624-628

Volk, Garth W. (1939) Optical and chemical studies of muscovite. American Mineralogist, 24 (4) 255-266

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

Heinrich, E. Wm., Levinson, Alfred A. (1953) Studies in the mica group: Mineralogy of the rose muscovites. American Mineralogist, 38 (1-2) 25-49

Yoder, H.S., Eugster, H.P. (1955) Synthetic and natural muscovites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 8 (5) 225-280 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(55)90001-6

Yoder, Hatten S. (1957) Experimental Studies on Micas: A Synthesis. Clays and Clay Minerals, 6 (1) 42-60 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1957.0060105

Nicol, Alastair W. (1963) Topotactic Transformation of Muscovite Under Mild Hydrothermal Conditions. Clays and Clay Minerals, 12 (1). 11-19 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1963.0120104

Crowley, M. S., Roy, Rustum (1964) Crystalline solubility in the muscovite and phlogopite groups. American Mineralogist, 49 (3-4) 348-362

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

Güven, Necip, Burnham, Charles W. (1967) The crystal structure of 3T muscovite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 125 (125) 163-183 doi:10.1524/zkri.1967.125.16.163

Gupta, M. P., Gupta, N. P. (1967) An X-ray investigation of green mica in khondalite from Auranga-Koel Valley, Palamau, Bihar, India. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (280) 591-594 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.280.12 (muscovite with minor Fe and Mg, and traces of Ti, V and Cr)

Henley, K. J. (1970) Cupriferous sericite from the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper ore, Kerman Province, Iran. Mineralogical Magazine, 37 (292) 945-947 doi:10.1180/minmag.1970.037.292.15

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

Knurr, Rick A.; Bailey, S. W. (1986) Refinement of Mn-Substituted Muscovite and Phlogopite. Clays and Clay Minerals, 34 (1). 7-16 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1986.0340102

Guggenheim, Stephen, Chang, Yu-Hwa, Groos, A. F. Koster van (1987) Muscovite dehydroxylation: High-temperature studies. American Mineralogist, 72 (5-6) 537-550

Rosenberg, Philip E. (1987) Synthetic muscovite solid solutions in the system K2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O. American Mineralogist, 72 (7-8) 716-723

Guidotti, Charles V., Mazzoli, Claudio, Sassi, Francesco P., Blencoe, James G. (1992) Compositional controls on the cell dimensions of 2M1 muscovite and paragonite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 4 (2). 283-297 doi:10.1127/ejm/4/2/0283

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. 1872 pp.

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. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (3). 707-712 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.3.707

(2001) Muscovite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

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

Franceschi, Giada; Kocán, Pavel; Conti, Andrea; Brandstetter, Sebastian; Balajka, Jan; Sokolović, Igor; Valtiner, Markus; Mittendorfer, Florian; Schmid, Michael; Setvín, Martin; et al. (2023) Resolving the intrinsic short-range ordering of K+ ions on cleaved muscovite mica. Nature Communications, 14 (1). 208 doi:10.1038/s41467-023-35872-y

Dubacq, Benoît, Forshaw, Jacob B. (2024) The composition of metapelitic biotite, white mica, and chlorite: a review with implications for solid-solution models. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (4). 657-685 doi:10.5194/ejm-36-657-2024

Significant localities for MuscoviteHide

Showing 23 significant localities out of 36,808 recorded on mindat.org.

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

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Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. BERJAYA

- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. BERJAYA

- Good crystals or important locality for species. BERJAYA

- 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
Alabama Clay County ⓘ M&G Mine	Anonymous. (1965) +1 other reference
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] Bowen et al. (1957) +2 other references
San Luis Obispo County Santa Lucia Mts (Santa Lucia Range) San Simeon ⓘ Beach cliffs	Ron Layton Collection
Connecticut Fairfield County Redding Branchville ⓘ Fillow Quarry	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 ⓘ Nathan Hall Quarry	LMSCC Newsletter +1 other reference
Haddam Haddam Neck ⓘ Gillette Quarry (J-J Mine; Haddam Neck Quarry)	[var: Schernikite] Bowman (1902) +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 +3 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 (1922)
South Dakota Pennington County Keystone Mining District Keystone ⓘ Etta Mine	Dana 6: 1088 +5 other references
Texas Burnet County ⓘ Cactus Jack pegmatite	F Roberts

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Muscovite

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