Description

“Mariposite” is an informal name that is most often used for green micas that are thought to be colored by small amounts of chromium. The name “mariposite” has also been used for a group of green and white metamorphic rocks that contain significant amounts of green mica. “Mariposite” has been used in many different contexts since the late 1800s.

The Mica group of silicate minerals included several closely related materials with nearly perfect basal cleavage.  That most prominent characteristic is explained by the hexagonal arrangement of its atoms.  Its name is derived from the Latin word Mica and likely influenced by Micare, to shine or glitter.   Mica is invaluable in the electrical industry because of its unique physical, chemical and thermal properties, low power loss factor, dielectric constant and dielectric strength.