MUSCOVITE
yellow muscovite from South Dakota and pinky/purply from New Mexico (very, very similar to lepidolite)
Muscovite is a silicate. KAl2(Si3ADO10(OH.F)2
Tabular, pseudo-hexagonal crystals, are formed by muscovite, and wtinning is common. Other habits are lamellar and cryptocrystalline. Muscovite also forms as scaly and compact masses and disseminated flakes. It varies from colourless to white or grey, and it may be tinged with yellow, green, brown, red, or violet. It forms in igneous rocks, especially those of acid composition like granite, and in metamorphic rocks such as shist and gneiss.
The crystal form of muscovite is called fuchsite.
Hardness: 2.5 - 4