Basal cleavage in one direction is a distinctive property of the micas.
2.
The name derives from the Greek " sideros ", iron, and " phyllon ", leaf, in reference to its iron rich composition and perfect basal cleavage.
3.
It was first described in 1888 for an occurrence in Slovakia and was named from Latin, " rhombus ", rhomb, and Greek " klasis ", to break, for its crystal form and perfect basal cleavage.