Can Mica Scratch Glass? (And Other Mica Facts)

No, mica cannot scratch glass.

Mica does not have as much molecular strength as glass.

People often do the glass scratch test with a mineral or stone to see if it is real and its classification.

In this post, we will do an overview of glass and mica, why mica cannot scratch glass, how to do an official test, how to care for mica, and what mica is used for.

Can Mica Scratch Glass? (Let’s Learn More)

Why Can’t Mica Scratch Glass?

The Mohs Hardness Scale is a way of rating minerals by their ability to scratch other minerals and then arranging them on a scale of 1 to 10.

When testing two minerals against each other, the mineral that wasn’t damaged will receive a higher number on the scale.

Glass is a good point of reference because it is in the middle of the scale and because most people have scratched it before intentionally or unintentionally.

Mica has a rating of 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, while glass has a rating of 5.5 on the scale.

These ratings indicate that mica cannot scratch glass.

This is because mica’s silicate molecular structure makes it light, relatively soft, flexible, and completely heat resistant.

The molecular structure of glass is the exact opposite and significantly stronger because there are fewer spaces within the molecular structure.

How to do an official glass test:

Take a glass tile or stable piece of glass

Select a rough or pointed edge of the stone

Press the pointed edge of the stone against the surface of the glass and try to draw a straight line

Remove and check for any scratch on the glass *If there is a “scratch,” make sure it is not a removable mark*

If the stone has multiple shades, perform the test on different areas of the glass surface and areas of the stone

Mica History

Mica can be found all over the world and is mentioned in ancient literature from Egypt, India, Rome, China, and Mexico.

It was discovered by western civilizations in the 19th century and became mined for export soon after.

This stone was used to make paint during the Paleolithic age, pottery in ancient Mexico, and to embellish women’s clothes in Pakistan.

In Ayurveda medicine, mica is ingested to treat certain respiratory and digestive ailments.

Mica Physical Properties

Mica refers to a group of over 35 silicate minerals that usually form in sheets, or layers, within the earth.

Although there are different colors, they all have thin sheets that are arranged as either flat angular blades, rosettes, or hexagonal columns.

Mica has high tensile strength and is one of the only crystals that are elastic and flexible.

Some color variations have their distinctive names because of their popularity, such as green-white (phlogopite); gray-purple (lepidolite); dark green, brown, black (biotite); and colorless, transparent (muscovite).

Mica Metaphysical Properties

While the benefits of using mica has not been scientifically proven, people believe that each form of mica has its own superpowers, and that all forms of mica help with the symptoms of spiritual awakenings.

Believers claim that mica helps with headaches, dizziness, bad dreams, and excessive psychic information by balancing the physical brain with the expanding consciousness.

Lepidolite, or gray-purple mica, is thought to be a calming stone that rebalances the brain and neurological functions.

People use it with the goal of driving away negativity, encouraging a detached look at difficult situations, and promoting restful sleep.

Muscovite is the white/colorless mica variation, but it can sometimes have tinges of red, violet, yellow, green, or brown.

Muscovite is used to help improve neurological dysfunction, hearing issues, lower blood pressure, and relieve anxiety and stress.

It is thought to assist with muscular strength and to push the metabolism to help fight continuous fatigue and muscle weakness.

Fuchsite, the greenish color mica, is said to amplify other crystals and facilitate the smooth transfer of energy throughout the body to achieve homeostasis.

Finally, practitioners believe that this stone releases physical and spiritual blockages and is great for repetitive strain injuries and increasing flexibility.

Glass History

The first known records of glass were around 3,600 years ago in both ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

It was purely used for decoration purposes until the Roman Empire began to use glass in architecture as windows.

In 1674, glass production went through a major scientific manufacturing shift that allowed people to make glass stronger and more versatile than ever before.

These different types opened a new world of industrial and scientific purposes for glass.

Glass Physical Properties

Glass is a typically transparent, hard substance that becomes a non-crystalline, amorphous solid at a certain temperature.

There is both manmade and naturally occurring glass.

The most common type of man-made glass is silicate glass, which is what you commonly find in windows and drinking glasses.

Impurities and compounds can be added to create color variations and textures for coloring and customization.

Glass Metaphysical Properties

Most crystal healers believe that the only glass with metaphysical properties is natural glass such as Fulgurite, Libyan Desert Obsidian, TextiteGlass, and Moldavite.

Libyan Desert Glass and Moldavite are thought to work with the Solar Plexus and Heart Chakra, while Fulgurite is thought to impact the Root Chakra especially.

All of these crystals are believed to help you feel more supported, tranquil, compassionate, and emotionally stable.

Mica Uses and Care

Since this stone is so shiny and already so flaky, it is often ground up and used as a shimmering powder accent for jewelry, accessories, and makeup foundations.

Some non-cosmetic uses are cement filler, electrical cable insulation, gypsum wallboard joint compounds, stove and kerosene heater windows, capacitors, and decorative panels in lamps and windows, to name a few.

Most jewelry or accessories made of mica are coated to protect the stones from wear and tear because of how soft and fragile they are.

When cleaning mica, use a soft cloth without rough fibers of strong dyes.

Use soap and water instead of any harsh cleaners so the stone does not degrade over time from chemical exposure.

Conclusion

Whether you are classifying a stone or seeing if it is real, doing a glass scratch test is essential for you to gain clarity.

With the information above, you now know why mica cannot scratch glass, how to take care of it, and where you can find mica.

All this will enhance your knowledge about mica, help you know why the glass test works, and how to use it as a tool to grow your gemstone collection.