Lepidolite Stones For Sale

Lepidolite is a grayish, lilac-purple to light pink mineral and member of the mica group. Lepidolite was traditionally mined as a source of the element lithium, though this is now less common. Fine-grained masses of the mineral are often polished into ornaments such as towers, eggs, and spheres. Because of the mineral’s sparkly luster and color (usually a result of intermingled quartz), polished material is exceptionally unique and a phenomenal addition to any collection. Lepidolite traditionally sits within the gray, pink, purple and red range of colors, but can be colorless. This mineral has a micaceous fracture and will flake in the same way that mica does. Most people assume that the purple color of lepidolite is the result of its lithium content. However, geologists tend to believe that manganese content is responsible for the purple-pink coloration.

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Minerals & Crystals

$2 - $27,500

How Does Lepidolite Form?

The environment needed to form lepidolite is extremely rare and specific, especially because of the size of the lithium molecule. Given lithium’s limited proclivity for mineral replacement, lepidolite usually only forms in small amounts at areas where igneous, late-stage magmatic solidification occurs. These locations are exemplified by hydrothermal quartz veins, pegmatites, and greisens (highly self-altered pegmatites). These environments produce thin sheets of lepidolite that cool in small deposits later in the recrystallization process.

Where Is Lepidolite Found?

Some of the finest lepidolite on the market comes from Madagascar, where the mineral bears a gorgeous lavender color that is interlaced with glistening quartz. It is this locality where master lapidarists source lepidolite to carve and polish into various shapes that collectors seek. It would be a shame to not mention the Minas Gerais, Brazil locality for lepidolite. Whereas Madagascar produces some of the best polished specimens, Brazil extracts rough lepidolite of the highest quality. Specimens from Minas Gerais are sometimes collected in split-color varieties. Other localities worth mentioning are Japan, Canada, Sweden and Russia.

Common Associations

This micaceous mineral often forms in intimate association with quartz, which produces the sparkly lilac specimens that collectors are so keen on. The minerals spodumene and petalite are other lithium-based minerals that form in the same way as lepidolite and comprise a closely related group of minerals. Other common associates are cassiterite, muscovite, feldspar, and beryl.

Featured Photos

Sparkly, Purple Lepidolite Palm Stone - Madagascar #181552

Bicolored Lepidolite Formation - Brazil #150354

LEPIDOLITE STONES FOR SALE

How Does Lepidolite Form?

Where Is Lepidolite Found?

Common Associations

Featured Photos