|
  |
|
|
Lepidolite
LEPIDOLITE: BACKGROUND: Lepidolite is an uncommon mica which has only become available on the mineral market in large quantities in the past decade. Lepidolite is lithium derivative and forms in granite-like masses that contain a substantial amount of lithium. The lithium content in Lepidolite varies greatly, however, and low lithium Lepidolite is nearly useless as a lithium ore. The typical violet to pink color of Lepidolite is quite characteristic and is the available only field test for determining Lepidolite from other micas. Pink muscovite or very pale Lepidolite may cause confusion during identification. Lepidolite, like other micas, has a layered structure of lithium aluminum silicate sheets which are bonded weakly by layers of potassium ions. These potassium ion layers produce a perfect cleavage. Lepidolite crystals can accompany such other lithium bearing minerals like tourmaline spodumene, and amblygonite and can add quite a large amount to the value of these specimens. A rock made of granular pink Lepidolite and red to pink tourmaline is used as an ornamental stone for carving. Single large plates of Lepidolite can have an attractive violet color and make quite nice mineral specimens.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color is violet to pale pink or white and rarely gray or yellow, and streak is white.
Luster is vitreous to pearly
Transparency of the crystals is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m
Crystal formation include tabular to prismatic crystals. The sides of the crystal often tend to taper. Lepidolite also forms as micaseous, lamellar or granular rock forming masses. Cleavage is perfect in one direction producing thin sheets or flakes. Fracture is not readily observed due to cleavage but is uneven. Hardness is 2.5. Specific Gravity is approximately 2.8+ (average) Associated minerals are quartz, feldspars, spodumene, amblygonite and tourmaline. Labradorite is found in Brazil; Ural Mountains, Russia; several African localities and California, USA. Best field indicators are crystal habit, color, cleavage, elastic sheets and associations.
|
|
 |
|
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Lepidolite" has been specified by the contributor as:
Public Domain
The copyright for this content has been relinquished by the author. The content may be used freely by anyone.
|
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
