Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Lepidolite (lithium mica) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2 |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–3 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Form | Raw / rough |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
Lepidolite is a lithium-rich mica — a potassium lithium aluminum silicate — and one of the primary ore minerals mined for lithium, the metal used in everything from ceramics to rechargeable batteries. Its pink-to-purple color comes from manganese trapped in the crystal structure, and like all micas it forms in thin, stacked sheets with perfect cleavage in one direction, which is what gives this slab its soft, slightly sparkly, layered sheen. Lepidolite typically forms in lithium-rich granite pegmatites, often alongside minerals like tourmaline, spodumene, and quartz.
At Mohs 2.5–3, lepidolite is soft and can flake at the edges if handled roughly, so it’s best kept as a display piece rather than something passed around often — a soft cloth is all it needs for cleaning, and water or ultrasonic cleaning should be avoided since it can seep between the mica layers.
Approximately 2″ across, this raw slab is an affordable, richly colored way to add a lithium mineral to a collection.
Inside Lepidolite
A lithium mica that was once mined as an ore, now collected for its color.
The story: Lepidolite forms in the same lithium-rich pegmatites that also produce tourmaline, and it was historically mined as a source of lithium itself. Its lilac-to-pink color comes from manganese substituting into the mica’s layered crystal structure.
Why collectors chase it: A soft pastel purple is unusual among minerals, and the fine-grained mica sheen gives even a rough slab a subtle sparkle.
Care: Soft and flaky — better suited to display than heavy handling, and best kept away from moisture and harder stones that could scratch it.
Lepidolite: the science
- Lepidolite has been mined as an ore of lithium, the metal in modern rechargeable batteries.
- Like all micas it splits into thin, flexible sheets along one perfect cleavage.
- It often grows with pink tourmaline, spodumene, and other lithium minerals in the same pegmatite.
Go deeper
Want the full story on lepidolite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is lepidolite?
Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica. Its lilac to purple color comes from traces of manganese, and it forms in lithium-rich granite pegmatites.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale. Soft and flaky. Avoid water and scrubbing; dust gently and handle with care.
Is this the exact piece I will receive?
Yes. This listing was photographed individually, and you receive the exact piece shown in the photos.
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