FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Bruce Sevier]

This is Muscovite, from Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (Brasil) I measured it with an (American) "Stanley" tape measure and it is 2 1/4" x 2" x 1 1/2".
This specimen is one that intrigues my interest. I am posting this one photo for now. I have tried to capture a point of interest to me, which is the green color which appears when the specimen is back lit. The "green" can be observed when looking at the end view of the (otherwise) opaque and flat crystals.
Although the majority of the specimen appears blurry, I hope to share the few green edge views.
I am uncertain if it is proper for me to ask on this particular forum, but I noticed one very small piece of one of the flat crystal-like formations to 'flake' off while handling it during the photography.
"Is there (other than the obvious: mounting it inside a Plexiglas box) a way to prevent any more flaking?"

[ellencmoe]

This is a pretty specimen. Muscovite mica is sometimes called "book mica" due to the way the thin layers pull off like pages from a book.

The green coloration or tinge is very common from muscovite from certain southern Califronia lithium pegmatites. Sometimes it can also have a copper tinge or a gold tinnge.

[Bruce Sevier]

Thank you, Ellen. I agree. It is pretty!
The battery from my camera is charging. But as soon as it is finished, I'll be uploading more photos!

[Bruce Sevier]

The other photos of my Muscovite specimen:

[Bruce Sevier]

Muscovite