RocksdayPhyllite vs Schist
How to tell them apart
A step up from slate: fine-grained with a silky sheen from microscopic mica.
Photo: EdwardEMeyer, CC BY-SA 4.0
A shimmering metamorphic rock full of aligned mica flakes, often studded with garnets.
Photo: Michael C. Rygel, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key differences
- Schist has visible glittering mica flakes.
Side by side
| Property | Phyllite | Schist |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Metamorphic rock | Metamorphic rock |
| Mohs hardness | 3–4 | 4–5 |
| Luster | Satiny sheen | Glittery |
| Colors | Gray, Green, Silver | Silver, Gray, Green |
| Crystal system / structure | Fine-grained, foliated, crinkled | Medium-grained, foliated |
| Specific gravity | 2.7–2.9 | 2.7–3 |
| Found in | Vermont; Scottish Highlands | Manhattan, New York; Grand Canyon (Vishnu Schist) |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify phyllite
- Satin-like sheen on split surfaces.
- Often wavy or crinkled.
- Individual mica flakes too small to see.
Structure: Fine-grained, foliated, crinkled
Full Phyllite guide →How to identify schist
- Glitters with visible mica.
- Wavy, flaky layers.
- Often contains red garnets or other crystals.
- Splits unevenly along layers.
Structure: Medium-grained, foliated
Full Schist guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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