Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
monocliniccommonphyllosilicates
Lepidolite
K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
This specimen features platy, pinkish-purple lepidolite crystals, often forming aggregates, associated with green elbaite tourmaline and a white hydroxylherderite.
Lepidolite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
2.5Crystal System
monoclinicLuster
pearlyStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect on {001}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
2.85Colors
lilac, pink, purple, rose-red, white, grayTransparency
translucentType Locality
Paprok, Nuristan Province, AfghanistanMineral Group
phyllosilicatesUses
source of lithium, ornamental stone, collectorAssociated Minerals
hydroxylherderite, elbaite, quartz, feldspar, spodumeneRarity
commonGeological Context
Lepidolite is a mica mineral typically found in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites, often forming late in the crystallization sequence alongside other rare-element minerals.
