Mica                                   Mineral Group: SILICATES
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  Biotite Mica   Lepidolite    Mica Schist    Muscovite Mica    

Mica
  • Mica that is black or brown is known as biotite mica.
  • Mica that is pearly white or cream colored is muscovite mica.
  • Purple mica is lepidolite.
  • Mica schist is a rock that has a lot of mica in it as well as other minerals.
Biotite Mica
  • Mica is a very common part of many rocks. It is mica that makes granite sparkle.
  • Mica is the only mineral that can be bent without breaking. That is because it can be peeled into very thin sheets.
  • Biotite is often found with calcite.
  • Biotite comes in a stack, or “book” of thin sheets of black, shiny mica.
  • Peels off easily.
  • Single sheets bend & are transparent to translucent.
  • “Book” is opaque.
Mica  from Eganville, Ontario  CANADA

  

Book of BIOTITE MICA - tabular

  

 

   
Biotite Mica Book - Miller Property, Eganville, Ontario  CANADA
Biotite Mica  from Bear Lake Claim, Bancroft, Ontario  CANAD
Muscovite Mica
  • Stack, or “book” of thin sheets of silvery white, shiny mica with vitreous luster.
  • Peels off easily.
  • Single sheets bend & are transparent or translucent.
  • “Book” is opaque.

Muscovite Mica from Bancroft, Ontario  CANADA

Mica Schist
  • Shiny, smooth, greasy feeling rock with red garnets throughout.
  • Silvery black color comes from biotite mica.
Garnets in Mica Schist  from Laniel, Quebec  CANADA

Garnets in Mica Schist  from Markstay, Ontario  CANADA

Lepidolite
  • Lepidolite is pink - mauve in color
  • Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica that occurs in massive chunks.
  • The lithium gives it its distinctive color.
Lepidolite  from North Bay area, Ontario  CANADA
  
Green Lepidolite  from Thorne, Ontario  CANADA

  

 

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