The mica variety that does not contain iron is colorless in flakes, and the higher the iron content, the darker the color, and the more polychromatic and absorbable it is. According to the different chemical composition and optical characteristics, mica group minerals can be divided into Muscovite subgroup, biotite-phlogopite subgroup and lemica subgroup. The common mica are biotite, phlogopite, Muscovite and so on.

6. Curing Allow the epoxy to cure for the time specified by the manufacturer. Avoid touching or moving the project during this time to ensure a perfect finish.

In addition, lepidolite and ferrolepidolite can also be used as mineral raw materials for extracting lithium.

Once extracted, mica undergoes several processing stages to refine and enhance its properties. The raw mica is first crushed and ground into fine particles, an essential step for its integration into various products. Depending on the intended use, it can be purified to remove impurities, enhancing its value. For instance, in the cosmetics industry, high-purity mica is preferred for its shimmering and reflective qualities used in eyeshadows, blushes, and other beauty products.

Natural mica powder and synthetic mica powder also have great differences in electrical insulation, mechanical properties, chemical stability, application range and cost. Natural mica powder has good electrical insulation, but the volume resistivity is lower than that of synthetic mica. Synthetic mica powder has better electrical insulation properties, high volume resistivity and stable dielectric constant, and is suitable for high performance electrical insulation materials. The hardness of natural mica powder is relatively low (2-3), and it has good elasticity and peeling property. The hardness of synthetic mica powder is higher (between 3 and 4), and the tensile strength and compressive strength are better than that of natural mica powder. Natural mica powder is stable in acid-base solution, but it is easy to decompose at high temperature. Synthetic mica powder is stable to acid and base at room temperature, but will be slowly corroded by sulfuric acid above 300℃. Better thermal stability, not easy to release gas. Natural mica powder is widely used in electrical appliances, welding rods, rubber, plastics, paper making, paint and other fields. Synthetic mica powder is mainly used in high-end electrical insulation materials, aviation, aerospace, national defense industry and other high-tech fields. Because synthetic mica powder needs to be produced through complex chemical processes, its production cost is usually higher than that of natural mica powder. Therefore, in the market, the price of synthetic mica powder is often higher than that of natural mica powder. However, with the continuous progress of production technology and the gradual emergence of scale effects, the price of synthetic mica powder is expected to gradually decrease.

2. Light-Reflecting Properties The shimmering quality of synthetic fluorphlogopite allows for the formulation of makeup that enhances the skin’s natural radiance. When used in foundations or highlighters, it helps to create a luminous finish, making the skin appear more vibrant and youthful.

X { Y2-3 [Z4O10] (OH)2 }

Working with color shift mica powder is straightforward, but there are some tips to ensure the best results. First, it is essential to choose the right base material. For resin art, make sure to mix the powder thoroughly to avoid clumps, which can detract from the overall look. In soap making or cosmetics, the method of incorporation can vary; some products may require melting or mixing before adding the mica powder. Always test small amounts first to gauge how the colors shift and interact with other components, allowing for experimentation and creative expression.

1. Cosmetic Applications

X represents large interlayer cations, such as K+, Na+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Rb+, Cs+, etc. Y represents octahedral cations, such as Al3+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Cr3+, Ti4+, Fe3+, etc. Z is mainly Si4+ and Al3+; The ideal ratio of the additional anion (OH)- to (O)2- is 2:10, and (OH)- can be replaced by F- and Cl-. Most mica contain 4% to 5% water. Therefore, although they may be called mica, the chemical composition of different mica may be very different, for the purpose of research, we collectively refer to the minerals with this type of characteristics as mica group minerals.  

When used in soap making, for instance, gold mica powder can create beautiful swirls and patterns, giving each bar a unique appearance. Similarly, candle makers often incorporate mica powder into their wax formulations to achieve a glittering effect that catches the light and gives off an inviting glow. It can also be used in resin art, where it adds depth and dimension to each piece.

Take pearlescent pigments as an example, pearlescent pigments are a class of pigments with pearl luster, which are deposited on the substrate (generally natural mica, synthetic mica, glass sheet and other sheet-like materials) above a layer or alternately deposited multiple layers of metal oxides or non-metallic oxides and formed a flat sandwich body with a structure similar to sandwich. Due to the difference in refractive index between the substrate and the oxide deposited on its surface and each oxide, when the light shines on the surface of the pearlescent pigment, the incident light will be refracted and reflected at the interface of each layer of the pearlescent pigment, and the color of the pearlescent pigment that people see is the result of the superposition of light after multiple refractions and reflections of the light, that is, the interference phenomenon of light.