Where is Mica found?
Mica Group
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Open the appMica occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Mica
India
Historically a major producer of muscovite, particularly from pegmatite deposits in Bihar and Rajasthan.
Brazil
Significant producer of muscovite and other micas, often from pegmatite bodies.
Russia
Large deposits of muscovite and phlogopite, particularly in the Kola Peninsula and Siberia.
United States
Mica deposits are found in North Carolina, South Dakota, New Mexico, and other states, primarily in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Canada
Known for phlogopite deposits, especially in Quebec and Ontario, often associated with ultramafic rocks.
Collecting tips
- Look in Pegmatites. Large, well-formed mica crystals ('books') are often found in pegmatite dikes, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks.
- Examine Metamorphic Rocks. Schists and gneisses are rich in mica, appearing as shiny, platy minerals that give the rock a foliated texture.
- Check for Sparkle. Mica flakes, even small ones, will often sparkle when light reflects off their cleavage surfaces, making them noticeable in rocks and sediments.
- Test for Cleavage. The most distinctive feature is the ability to peel off thin, flexible sheets. This is a key diagnostic test.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Variable (colorless, white, black, brown, pink, purple)
- Luster:
- Vitreous to pearly
- Streak:
- White
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