Lepidolite
| Colour | Purple, Pink, Red, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–3 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | {001} perfect |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Specific gravity | 2.8–2.9 |
What is Lepidolite?
Lepidolite is the common name for a lilac-gray or rose-colored series of minerals in the mica group. The mineralogical name for this series is the polylithionite-trilithionite series. Lepidolite has a chemical formula of K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si)4O10(F,OH)2. It is the most abundant lithium-bearing mineral and is a secondary source of this metal. It is also the major source of the alkali metal rubidium, which substitutes for potassium.
How to identify Lepidolite
- Lustre: Vitreous to pearly.
- Hardness: Mohs 2.5–3 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Lepidolite in different forms
Stones often confused with Lepidolite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Lepidolite?
Lepidolite is Mohs 2.5–3 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Lepidolite?
Lepidolite is typically purple, pink, red, gray (Pink, light purple, purple, rose-red, violet-gray, yellowish, white, colorless other colors possible but are rare).