Lepidolite
What is Lepidolite?
Lepidolite is a lilac or rose-violet colored member of the mica group of minerals. It’s primarily found in Brazil, Russia, and parts of Africa. Lepidolite is often used as a gemstone and is a popular choice for jewelry due to its beautiful colors and spiritual significance.
Lepidolite is a lilac-colored gemstone known for its soothing and balancing properties. Its calming hues and shimmering appearance make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items. The stone is often used in rings, necklaces, and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Mica) |
| Color | Ranges from pink to purple, and sometimes gray or yellowish. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly. |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque. |
| Occurrence | Brazil, Madagascar, and the United States. |
| Formation | Typically found in granite pegmatites. |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5-3. |
| Specific Gravity | Approximately 2.8 to 3.3. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Pink to purple, flaky. |
| Chemical Composition | K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2 |
| Pleochroism | Not noticeable due to its opacity. |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive Index | 1.525 - 1.548 |
| Birefringence | 0.015 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 0° to 30° |
| Dispersion | Not typically relevant for lepidolite due to its opacity. |