Which mineral is known for its perfect cleavage?

Muscovite is well-known for its perfect cleavage, which is the ability to split easily along specific planes within the mineral. This property occurs due to its layered silicate structure, where the bonds between the layers are much weaker than the bonds within the layers themselves. As a result, muscovite can be peeled into very thin sheets, making it distinct among other minerals.

In contrast, other minerals listed do not exhibit perfect cleavage to the same extent as muscovite. For instance, quartz does not cleave at all but instead fractures conchoidally, resulting in a smooth, curved surface when broken. Olivine, while having some cleavage, does not possess the kind of perfect cleavage seen in muscovite, and its cleavage is not as prominent. Feldspar does have good cleavage, but it does not manifest in the same consistently perfect way as muscovite, which is why muscovite is the best example of a mineral with perfect cleavage.