Lepidolite Guide: The Lithium Mica Mineral

Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica mineral most recognized for its distinctive lilac to purple color. Named from the Greek “lepidos” meaning scale, it is the most common lithium-bearing mineral and serves as an important ore of lithium, rubidium, and cesium.

How Lepidolite Forms

Lepidolite crystallizes in lithium-rich granite pegmatites during the final stages of magma cooling. It typically occurs as foliated masses, scaly aggregates, or tabular crystals. The purple color comes from manganese substituting into the crystal structure, while pink varieties contain less manganese.

Notable Lepidolite Localities

Brazil’s Minas Gerais produces outstanding specimens often with pink tourmaline. The Harding Mine in New Mexico yields large books of lavender crystals. Madagascar produces vibrant purple specimens popular in the collector market. California’s Stewart Mine has produced exceptional specimens alongside tourmaline.

Collecting Lepidolite

Lepidolite is relatively soft at 2.5 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale with perfect basal cleavage, so specimens need careful handling. The most desirable specimens feature well-formed crystal books with saturated purple color on matrix. Explore our purple crystal collection or browse all mineral specimens.