LEPIDOLITE

Specifications

Mineral Class: Phyllosilicate
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous to Pearly
Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent
Colors: Purple, Pink, Red, Gray, White
Symbolizes: Transition
Source: Brazil, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Madagascar, and USA

Lepidolite is a lilac gray or rose colored Phyllosilicate mineral from the mica group. It was first called Lilalite because of its lavender coloring. Lepidolite is made up of many minerals including tourmaline, topaz beryl, muscovite, and quartz. It is the most abundant lithium bearing mineral and is a secondary source for the metal. It is associated with other lithium bearing minerals like spodumene. It is the major source of the rare alkali metals, rubidium and caesium. ​Lepidolite derives from the Greek, Lepidos, meaning scale.