Lepidolite Gemstone & Information | Gemopedia by JTV | Gemopedia™

Lepidolite is a beautiful lithium-rich member of the mica mineral family. Violet to pink in color, lepidolite has a scaly appearance seen in many specimens. This gemstone is not commonly known to be faceted and is primarily used in ornamental and decorative pieces.
Colors
Violet, Pink, Red, Gray-White
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Lepidolite classification
CommonNameLepidoliteSpeciesLepidoliteVarietyColorsViolet, Pink, Red, Gray-WhiteAlternateNamesLithia Mica, Lithium MicaGemstoneGroupsMicaKeySeparationsRI, appearanceClassificationCommentsLepidolite is often misidentified as pink muscovite or phlogopite. -
Lepidolite chemistry & crystallography
ChemicalNamebasic potassium lithium aluminum fluoro-silicateChemicalFormulaK(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2SynthesisCrystalSystemMonoclinicChemistryClassificationSilicateNatureNaturalCrystallinityAggregateChemistryComments -
Lepidolite optical properties
TransparencyTransparent - TranslucentDispersionStrength: noneOpticalCommentsRefractiveIndex1.525-1.587Birefringence0.018-0.038OpticCharacterBiaxialOpticSignNegativePolariscopeReactionDoubly Refractive (DR)FluorescenceSWUV: Inert
LWUV: InertCCFReactionPleochroismNone -
Lepidolite characteristic physical properties
Hardness2.5-3CharacteristicCommentsStreakWhiteSpecificGravity2.8-3.3ToughnessInclusionsMany lepidolite specimens have a scaly appearance.LusterVitreousStabilityFractureUnevenCleavagePerfect, in one direction