[Rockhounds] Mica Progress Report - Pictures

[Gary Brown]

Question on the mica...  I've found that I've really got to heat the mica up
to around 1400F (and then cool it, duh!) before I use it in my work.  When
"raw" the mica is very stiff.  After the heat there's a color change from
silvery to golden, and the sheets are very, very flexible...almost like
cloth.  I'm guessing there's some sort of molecular bonding change going on.
Anyone know?

GcB