Lepidolite

The name lepidolite means scale stone (Greek lepidios=small scale) and got its name in 1795 by the mineralogist Martin Heinrich Klaproth. Lepidolite is a mica containing lithium. Synonyms for it are lithium mica, lithionite or hydropolithionite.

It is found in the USA, Brazil, Namibia and Madagascar.

Lepidolite is monoclinic and has the colours pale violet to pink or colourless to grey.

Mineral class of the layer silicates
Formula: K(Li,Al)3 ((O,OH,F)2/AlSi3O10) + Ca,Cs,Fe,Mg,Mn,Na,Rb

Mohs hardness: 2.5 - 3
Density: 2.8 - 2.9
Cleavability: excellent
Stroke colour: white
Transparency: transparent to translucent

Healing properties
Demarcation, gives inner peace, independence, self-discipline