What is Lepidolite?
Lepidolite is a lithium-rich mica with lilac to pink colour, reflective flakes and a direct connection to rare-element pegmatites.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2. Lepidolite is a mica-group phyllosilicate with variable lithium, aluminium, fluorine and hydroxyl. Polytypes are common; this guide uses a verified 3T COD model as a representative lepidolite structure rather than implying one fixed natural composition. Lepidolite is classified with silicates and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.8–3.0.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include lilac, pink, purple, grey, white. The usual scaly, foliated, micaceous habit and pearly, vitreous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Lepidolite forms in or is associated with lithium-rich granitic pegmatites and late hydrothermal zones. Important documented localities include Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, Canada, Zimbabwe and Russia.
A shimmering lithium pegmatite classic
Lepidolite is one of the most recognisable collector micas because its lilac colour and glittering cleavage surfaces make even a small piece visually rich. It also tells the story of evolved pegmatites, lithium chemistry and the minerals that grow in the final stages of granite crystallisation.
Collecting and care
It is soft and cleaves easily: keep flakes away from abrasion, moisture and strong handling, and do not perform a hardness test on a display specimen.
