CHIDA Product Page
Looking for a non-toxic, natural coloring dye for DIY projects or your next cosmetics creation? Consider mica powder!
Mica powder is a versatile colorant for arts and crafts projects, epoxy resin crafts, soaps and cosmetics. Just a teaspoon of this natural mineral can add shimmer, sparkle and vibrant color to any project. Unfortunately, it&#;s not as widely known as other industrial colorants like dyes.
We think that should change. That&#;s because mica powder is:
Natural
Non-toxic
Free of heavy metals
Available in hundreds of dazzling colors
A source of natural shimmer
You might be wondering: What is mica powder exactly? And what is it used for? This guide features everything you need to know about mica powder, with tips and ideas for how you can use it in your next project.
Need some inspiration? Check out the Quickstart Mica Guide for project ideas and tips.
Mica is a colored powder that&#;s made from a natural mineral called muscovite. Muscovite is a silicate mineral, in the same family as quartz. Before it&#;s processed, mica comes out of the ground in large pearlescent sheets or flakes, which have a naturally shimmering, iridescent property.
Mica flakes are ground into a fine powder, which is usually an off-white or khaki color. Natural oxides are then applied to the mica with heat to transform it into a vibrant color. Mica powder can also be made from the lab-created version of the muscovite mineral, which is called fluorophlogopite.
Natural mica is mined muscovite, which is prized for its glittery appearance. Synthetic mica, on the other hand, is made from natural minerals, but is created in a lab. The result is a mineral called fluorophlogopite, which mimics the shimmering effect of natural mica. Key differences between natural and synthetic mica include:
Synthetic mica has a higher purity, and therefore bolder, more consistent colors are possible.
Synthetic mica is smoother in texture. Therefore, it&#;s a popular choice in cosmetics like eyeshadow and lipstick.
Some prefer synthetic mica to natural mica due to the environmental and mining practices. Because natural mica is mined in poverty-stricken areas, there are concerns over child labor practices. (Note: All of our natural micas are ethically sourced. See FAQs to learn more.)
Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about mica powder:
What&#;s the difference between mica powder and pigment powder?
Pigment powders are either natural or synthetic colorants used in art projects. The biggest difference between mica and pigment powder is in appearance. Pigments have a matte finish, whereas mica adds color along with a natural shimmer.
What&#;s in mica powder made of?
Natural mica powder is made from mica minerals, typically muscovite (although there are about 30 different types of mica minerals). The muscovite is ground into a fine powder, and mixed with natural oxides to color the powder. Synthetic mica is made similarly, but the base mineral is lab-made fluorophlogopite.
Where does mica powder come from?
The majority of mica is mined in India. In fact, more than half of all mica originates in two Indian regions: Bihar and Nellore. Countries like Belgium, Brazil and China also produce mica and mica powders.
What is ethical mica powder?
Ethical mica refers to mica that&#;s sourced from mines which do not rely on child labor and explotative practices. Because mica originates in areas of extreme poverty, illegal mines can and do rely on child labor. That&#;s why when shopping for mica powder it&#;s vital to source from ethical suppliers.
All Slice of the Moon mica powders are child labor free. We work with organizations to verify that every step of the supply chain, from the mine, to manufacturing, is free of child-labor or exploitative practices.
Is mica powder considered natural?
Natural micas are made from naturally occurring minerals, which are ground down, and tinted with tin or iron oxide or dye. Therefore, for most natural micas, all of the components can be found in nature. Browse our selection of natural mica powders.
Synthetic mica powder is different. Synthetic mica is created from a lab-made mineral, fluorophlogopite, which has similar chemical properties to muscovite. Synthetic mica isn&#;t mined, and it tends to have a smoother texture and higher color purity than natural mica. See our synthetic mica powders.
Is mica safe?
Mica powder is prized for cosmetics, as it is non-irritating, skin-safe and non-toxic. However, because mica is a fine dust, long-term inhalation can cause lung scarring and other respiratory ailments. Always use a mask when working with mica powder.
DIYers, artists, soapmakers and cosmetics makers all use mica powder to add color and shine in their work. Really, there are numerous ways to use mica powder. Here are a few of our favorites:
The company is the world’s best Mica Powder Wholesale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
There are really endless uses for mica powder in arts and crafts projects, in soap making, epoxy/resin crafts, DIY cosmetics and for creating custom paint colors. (See our guide: How to Make Watercolors with Mica.)
Shop Our Mica Powders Now
Get started using mica powder! Read our Mica Quickstart Guide for some tips. We offer a wide range of vibrant micas and glow-in-the-dark pigments that are perfect for a wide range of projects.
Shop our collections now:
Shop our Amazon.com Storefront or Contact Us for Bulk Orders
Mica powder is crafted of a natural stone mineral that has a metallic sheen to it. When ground into a powder, it has the ability to give your every craft a light-catching something extra. It can be mixed right into oil or acrylic paint, or even with other materials, like clay and plaster. Not all mica powder is created the same, however, and should be chosen carefully&#;especially if you&#;re looking to use it for a specific medium or project. Ahead, find every kind of mica powder in nearly every color of the rainbow and let us help shop for the best one for you.
This set of mica powder is sold as a set of the top six most-popular true metallic tones, each jar measuring 0.75 ounces. They are highly pigmented, rust- and tarnish-proof, and suitable for interior or exterior use, if you choose to mix them with paint or plaster. For canvas painting, they can be mixed with everything from acrylics and oils to gouache and varnish. And, when it comes to clay, they can also be fired in a kiln that reaches up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Buy:
Jacquard Pearl Ex Powder Pigments
$32.44
Buy it
If you&#;re looking for a wide range of colors for small projects, consider this set of mixed powder packets. Included in the kit are 24 different powdered pigments in separate three-gram pouches. With these small bags, this selection is great for tiny projects, be they small paintings, soapmaking, or even at-home makeup creation. They can be used with cold or hot processes, due to their ultra-fine grinding process, which makes them easily dissolvable in any solution.
Buy:
Soap Shop Mica Powder Set
$6.99
Buy it
No matter what you&#;re looking to mix your mica powder into, educators everywhere can appreciate a kit that comes complete with smaller amounts of a wide range of colors. This particular kit is chock full of the rainbow spectrum, with 25 different colors that can be mixed with everything from resin to acrylic paint, soap, clay, and more. Additionally, they are all safe and nontoxic, which is especially important when dealing with children&#;s art projects. What&#;s more, each bag contains a whopping ten grams of each color, so it can be used for a multitude of projects large and small before running dry.
Buy:
Artisan Pigments Mica Powder 25 Color Set
Buy it
This mica powder has a little more of a soft pearlized sheen to it than a true metallic shine, giving it a more subtle appeal than other mica powders might offer. That said, it&#;s still just as highly pigmented when added to everything from cosmetics to paint, plaster, and resin. Each two-ounce container is sold as a single color, though the brand sells the product in a total of 24 different tone varieties. While this powder is safe and easy to use for children, it is also rated as professional grade, due to its reliability and finely ground texture that dissolves easily without detection.
Buy:
U.S. Art Supply Jewelescent Mica Pearl Powder
$9.99
Buy it
This mica powder comes in a wide range of metallic hues, in single-tone jars of 50 grams each. They are all of professional grade, meaning that not only are they nontoxic but they have also been so finely ground that they are ideal for any type of project, whether you&#;re working with heavier materials, like clay, or more thin and water-based fluids. A little bit goes a long way: with 50 grams each, you&#;re sure to have enough for even the largest projects.
Are you interested in learning more about High Purity Silica Sand? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!