Flake out.
Lepidolite, Meaning, Properties, and Facts
Lithium micaMohs 2.5 to 3.5Monoclinic
Lepidolite is a pink to purple mica rich in lithium, and it glitters because it is built from stacks of paper-thin sheets. Below: what it is, its properties, where it is found, how to tell it is real, care, value and the meaning people give it.
What is lepidolite
Lepidolite is a mica, in the same family as clear muscovite and black biotite, but it carries lithium in its structure. Since 1998 mineralogists have used the name for a series of lithium micas between trilithionite and polylithionite rather than for one species, so a lepidolite label is correct but broad. The name comes from the Greek lepidos, scale, for its scaly look. Lepidolite has been mined as a minor ore of lithium, and it is a major source of the alkali metal rubidium.
Lepidolite properties
Lepidolite properties are mica properties: one perfect cleavage that lets it peel into thin, flexible sheets, a pearly shine on those sheets, and a hardness low enough that a steel blade scratches it with ease. Mineral data is on Wikipedia's lepidolite page.
| Mineral | Lithium mica (a series, not one species) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si)4O10(F,OH)2 |
| Color cause | Traces of manganese, not the lithium |
| Hardness | 2.5 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Luster | Pearly to glassy |
| Specific gravity | 2.8 to 2.9 |
| Main localities | Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Canada, California |
| Water safe | Quick rinse for polished pieces; wipe raw ones |
Where lepidolite is found
Lepidolite is found in lithium-rich granite pegmatites, the coarse-grained rocks that also produce pink tourmaline and kunzite. Notable sources include Brazil, Madagascar, the Ural Mountains of Russia, the Tanco mine in Manitoba, Canada, and the Pala district of San Diego County, California.
Lepidolite crystal forms
A lepidolite crystal is a short six-sided plate, and stacks of them form books that split into flakes. More often it grows as glittering masses of tiny scales, and that is the lepidolite stone cut into bowls, spheres and tumbled pieces. Pink tourmaline often grows inside it, sold as lepidolite with rubellite, and polished pieces often contain gray or white quartz as well.
How to tell if lepidolite is real
How to tell if lepidolite is real comes down to sparkle and softness. Turn it under a light: real lepidolite flashes from thousands of tiny mica flakes, and raw pieces shed a few when you pick at them. Glass and resin fakes show even color, no flakes and sometimes bubbles. Purple fluorite is the usual mix-up, but fluorite is glassy and harder, with flat cleavage planes instead of glitter. Lepidolite mixed with quartz is harder and less sparkly, and it is still natural.
Lepidolite care: water and sun
Lepidolite care is mostly about water and handling: polished and tumbled pieces can take a quick rinse, but raw pieces should only be wiped with a damp cloth, because water can seep between the mica sheets and loosen flakes. Never soak it, and keep it away from salt and ultrasonic cleaners. It scratches easily, so store it apart from harder stones. Fading in sunlight is not a well-known problem for lepidolite, but a shelf away from a bright window is still the safe choice for a purple stone. See water safe crystals.
Lepidolite price and value
Lepidolite price and value stay modest because the mineral is common in lithium pegmatites. Tumbled stones, bowls and slabs are affordable. Prices rise for deep, even purple color, large unbroken books, sharp crystals and pieces with bright pink tourmaline.
Lepidolite meaning and benefits
Lepidolite meaning in crystal lore is calm, and the benefits people claim for it include less stress and better sleep. That is belief, not chemistry. The lore leans on the lithium inside, since lithium salts are a real psychiatric medicine, but the lithium in lepidolite is locked into a silicate structure. Holding the stone does not dose you with anything, and it should never be soaked to make a drink.
Lepidolite for sale
Lepidolite for sale at geoslut arrives in drops, one piece at a time. Every piece is photographed in daylight and labeled with its locality, and the list hears first.
Lepidolite FAQ
Is lepidolite water safe?
Lepidolite is water safe for a quick rinse when it is tumbled or polished. Raw, flaky pieces should only be wiped with a damp cloth.
Does lepidolite contain lithium?
Lepidolite does contain lithium, but it is bound into the crystal structure and does not leach out when you hold the stone.
How hard is lepidolite?
Lepidolite is not hard: it rates 2.5 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale, so a steel blade, glass and most other crystals will scratch it.
Is lepidolite toxic?
Lepidolite is not toxic to handle. As with any stone, avoid breathing the dust if you cut or sand it.
Sources
- Lepidolite, Wikipedia
- Lepidolite, geology.com