A general term for platy phyllosilicates of 2:1 layer and a layer charge of ~ -1.0 per formula unit (true mica group) or ~ -2.0 per formula unit (brittle mica group) or between -0.6 to -0.85 per formula unit (interlayer-cation-deficient mica group, abbreviated to interlayer-deficient micas). Micas do not show swelling capability. Octahedral character, either trioctahedral or dioctahedral, further divides the mica groups into subgroups, whereas chemical composition separates the species within the subgroups.
Cf., true mica, brittle mica, interlayer-deficient mica, group names