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Lepidolite Mica Metaphysical Properties
| MICA VARIETY |
ITEM CATEGORIES select any link below to enter our Virtual Gallery |
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| Mineral Specimens | Spheres | Lapidary Rough | Decorator Specimens | Handcrafted Jewelry | |
| BIOTITE | Biotite Mineral Specimens |
Biotite Spheres |
Large Biotite Decorator Mineral Specimens |
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| CLINOCHLORE (also known as seraphinite) |
Seraphinite Mineral Specimens |
Seraphinite Spheres |
Seraphinite Jewelry: Seraphinite Pendants and Seraphinite Bracelets |
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 FUCHSITE |
Fuchsite Rough and Fuchsite Rough Mineral Specimens |
Fuchsite Spheres |
Large Fuchsite Decorator Mineral Specimens |
Fuchsite Jewelry (green aventurine jewelry) |
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 LEPIDOLITE |
Lepidolite Mineral Specimens |
Lepidolite Spheres |
Lepidolite Lapidary Rough |
Large Lepidolite Decorator Mineral Specimens |
Lepidolite Jewelry: Lepidolite Pendants |
| MUSCOVITE | Muscovite Mineral Specimens |
Large Muscovite Decorator Mineral Specimens |
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| ZINNWALDITE | Zinnwaldite Mineral Specimens |
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The micas are complex hydrous potassium-aluminum silicate minerals. There are more than 20 chemically distinct mica species with considerable variance in geologic occurance, but all have essentially the same crystal structure. The micas crystallize with a sheet structure, the sheets being held together by relatively weak bonds resulting in the perfect basal cleavage of the micas.
Biotite is the most common of the micas, containing iron and/or magnesium impurities substituting for octahedral aluminum. Muscovite is the pure potassium mica, containing no impurities. Fuchsite mica is a chromium rich variety of muscovite where chromium cations substitute for some of the octahedral aluminum in the muscovite crystal structure. The chromium impurities in fuchsite are responsible for its emerald green color. Lepidolite mica is a lithian mica where an occaisional lithium cation substitutes for some of the octahedral and tetrahedral aluminum in the mica crystal structure. Zinnwaldite is a lithian ferrous mica, where lithium and iron cations substitute for some of the octahedral and tetrahedral aluminum.
The micas have a very wide range of geological occurances. The many varieties of mica are distinguished by their chemical composition, some varieties occuring only in very specific geological settings while others have more widespread occurances.
Biotite mica is the most common of the micas, in fact it is the most common ferromagnesian mineral! It occurs in most igneous and metamorphic rocks and is commonly found in detrital sediments.
Muscovite mica also is a very widespread and common rock forming mineral. In igneous rocks it is characteristic of granites and granite pegmatites, and in metamorphic rocks it is very common especially in some mica schists where it is the most predominant mineral.
In some mica schists and quartzites, muscovite crystallizes
with chromium impurities resulting in the emerald green colored variety
fuchsite. When microscopic flakes of fuchsite mica crystallize inside
of quartzite giving it a green color, the rock is known as
green aventurine quartz which is a popular lapidary
material. Muscovite also commonly occurs
as sericite, a fine-grained alteration product of other minerals.
Lepidolite mica occurs mainly in granitic pegmatites associated with
quartz, microline,
albite, smoky quartz, amblygonite and occaisionally the gem varieties of
elbaite tourmaline and liddicoatite tourmaline, and also the mineral spodumene (usually as the spodumene variety kunzite).
Zinnwaldite mica occurs mainly in granite pegmatites and high temperature
hydrothermal veins.
The micas are usually recognized by their perfect basal cleavage. Some mica varieties can be distinguished with reasonable certainty by their color.
The name mica was derived from the Latin micare which meant to shine. Biotite was named after the French physicist J. B. Biot. The name Muscovite was derived from the term muscovy-glass which it was previously known by because of its widespread use as a glass substitute in the old Russian state of Muscovy in the 14th century.
Mica (muscovite in particular) has a wide variety of uses as an insulating material in electrical equipment due to its strongly dielectric properties and to its good electrical resistivity and capacitance stability. Mica also has a low coefficient of expansion, and it has been used extensively because of its heat resisting properties. Mica is used extensively in paints to increase weatherability and to reduce running, it is also used in the manufacture of wallpapers to give them a silky or shiny luster. Mica is also used in the manufacture of lubricants and in dry-powder fire extinguishers.
The astrological sign of biotite is Scorpio, and the sign of muscovite is Aquarius.
Biotite is said to enhance one's perception, allowing one to more
clearly understand what is really happening in any situation.
Fuchsite is said to enhance the body's ability to heal itself, and
to increase the effectiveness of other minerals that are being used in healing.
Lepidolite is said to be very soothing and to have a calming effect,
relieving anxiety and tension.
Lepidolite with pink tourmaline is said to bring happiness, joy
and increased vitality, and to inspire love.
Muscovite is said to increase one's understanding and perception,
and to enhance one's reflective abilities.
For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.
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