Lepidolite
Mineral K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
Also called Lithia mica, Polylithionite, and Trilithionite
About it
Lilac to pink lithium mica, usually in fine scaly masses in pegmatites with pink tourmaline; a series name covering polylithionite and trilithionite. Brazil, Maine, and Manitoba's Tanco mine.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Silicate (phyllosilicate), mica group
- Formula
- K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2.5–3.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.8–2.9
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- pearly, vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- lilac, pink, purple, grey, white
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- perfect in one direction, flexible elastic sheets
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.