Lepidolite Gemstone & Information | Gemopedia by JTV | Gemopedia™

Lepidolite

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

  • Lepidolite classification

    CommonName
    Lepidolite
    Species
    Lepidolite
    Variety
    Colors
    Violet, Pink, Red, Gray-White
    AlternateNames
    Lithia Mica, Lithium Mica
    GemstoneGroups
    Mica
    KeySeparations
    RI, appearance
    ClassificationComments
    Lepidolite is often misidentified as pink muscovite or phlogopite.

  • Lepidolite chemistry & crystallography

    ChemicalName
    basic potassium lithium aluminum fluoro-silicate
    ChemicalFormula
    K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
    Synthesis
    CrystalSystem
    Monoclinic
    ChemistryClassification
    Silicate
    Nature
    Natural
    Crystallinity
    Aggregate
    ChemistryComments

  • Lepidolite optical properties

    Transparency
    Transparent - Translucent
    Dispersion
    Strength: none
    OpticalComments
    RefractiveIndex
    1.525-1.587
    Birefringence
    0.018-0.038
    OpticCharacter
    Biaxial
    OpticSign
    Negative
    PolariscopeReaction
    Doubly Refractive (DR)
    Fluorescence
    SWUV: Inert
    LWUV: Inert
    CCFReaction
    Pleochroism
    None

  • Lepidolite characteristic physical properties

    Hardness
    2.5-3
    CharacteristicComments
    Streak
    White
    SpecificGravity
    2.8-3.3
    Toughness
    Inclusions
    Many lepidolite specimens have a scaly appearance.
    Luster
    Vitreous
    Stability
    Fracture
    Uneven
    Cleavage
    Perfect, in one direction