KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Muscovite
Sheets of mica peel with a fingernail, potassium aluminium silicate, 2 to 2.5 on Mohs.
- Formula
- KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2–2.5
- Crystal system
- monoclinic
- Colour
- white
- Element
- air
- Chakra (tradition)
- crown
- Zodiac
- Aquarius, Gemini
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Russia, India, Brazil
What it actually is
Muscovite is KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂ before it is a story. The lattice is monoclinic, Mohs 2–2.5, and the eye meets white.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Russia, India, Brazil. Sheets of mica peel with a fingernail, potassium aluminium silicate, 2 to 2.5 on Mohs.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Muscovite to air and to the crown centre. The old site stood it near: Aquarius, Gemini.
How not to turn it to ash
Softer than a steel knife. No ultrasonic bath, no acid, no sudden heat. Dust wants a dry cloth.