Rose Muscovite (rare Mn- induced color)

Item Description

A rare specimen of intensely PINK muscovite, from New Mexico. On close inspection, you can see that these muscovite crystals are actually translucent to transparent. They are actually masses of individual sheety crystals stacked densely together. Rare material, unusual, and odd for New Mexico. The pink color is caused by lithium normally in mica BUT I am told by John Fender, who collected these: No lithium in Rose Muscovite from Harding Mine, New Mexico (if there was lithium it would be Lepidolite). According to Dr. Dave London, the chromophore giving the pink color is Manganese-6. Rose Muscovite is rare because it has the color of Lepidolite but contains no lithium