The chemical formula of mineral Lepidolite is indicated by KLi2Al(Al,Si)3O10(F,OH)2 or Potassium Lithium Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide Fluoride. Lepidolite is actually a Silicate mineral. Lepidolite is also a member of the Micas Group of minerals. The name Lepidolite was derived from the Greek words lepidion, which means scale and lithos, which means stone. Lepidolite is known to crystallize in the monoclinic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, the monoclinic system of crystal formation comprises crystals having three axes of unequal lengths. Two of which are usually found in a position that is oblique or not perpendicular to one another. However, both of which are commonly found perpendicular to the third axis. Lepidolite is most commonly considered as an ore of lithium and it is often found exhibiting interesting images when viewed with the aid of an ore polarizing light microscope for geologists. Mineral Lepidolite is also used as an ornamental stone and it is often found exhibiting wonderful appearance when viewed under gemological microscope. Lepidolite is also used as heat insulator for industrial purposes.
Mineral Lepidolite is most commonly found exhibiting a violet to pale pink or white color and rarely gray or yellow that can be more splendidly wonderful when viewed with the aid of the polarized microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Colors are most fascinatingly wonderful when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. Lepidolite is most commonly found displaying a vitreous to pearly luster when viewed in reflected light of polarizing light microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Lepidolite is also most commonly found showing a perfect cleavage in one direction and this usually found producing thin sheets or flakes that are majestically exhibited under petrographic polarizing microscope. The cleavage sheets of Lepidolite mineral are usually found flexible and elastic. In optical mineralogy, this means that they can be bent and can be flex back to its original shape. The fracture of Lepidolite is not readily observed because of its cleavage but then when closely evaluated with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope, it is usually found displaying uneven fracture. The specific gravity measure of the mineral usually gives an approximate value of about 2.8+grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered average. The hardness measure of the mineral when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 2.5. Lepidolite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when the specimen of the mineral is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate.
Most crystals of mineral Lepidolite are found transparent to translucent in appearance. The crystal habit of mineral Lepidolite as described in optical mineralogy usually include tabular to prismatic crystals with a prominent pinacoid termination that is more clearly visible when the specimen is viewed under polarizing light microscopes for geologists. The four prism faces and two pinacoid faces of the mineral Lepidolite form pseudo-hexagonal crystal books that can be noticed clearly when viewed under petrographic polarizing light microscopes used in optical mineralogy. When viewed closely with the aid of the polarizing microscope, the sides of the crystal often tend to tapper. Mineral Lepidolite is also found as micaceous as well as lamellar or granular rock forming masses. Lepidolite is commonly found having biaxial negative figure when mineral Lepidolite is evaluated between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. It also exhibits a weak dispersion under polarized light microscopes. The birefringence that is most commonly exhibited by Lepidolite is usually found ranging from 0.0290 to 0.0380. Some specimens may show triboluminescence.
Mineral Lepidolite is most commonly found associated with other interesting minerals including quartz, spodumene, feldspars, tourmaline especially elbaite, and ambygonite. Mineral Lepidolite is found slightly radioactive. The best field indicators of the mineral Lepidolite usually include elastic sheets, color, crystal habit, cleavage, and associations. Mineral Lepidolite is commonly found in Lithia-bearing pegmatites. Mineral Lepidolite notably occurs at several localities including Brazil, several African localities, California in the United States, and the Ural Mountains in Russia.
