Lepidolite is a lithium-rich mica known for its distinctive lilac to purple coloration. It is commonly found as compact, scaly aggregates or micaceous masses in granitic pegmatites, often associated with other gem-bearing minerals like tourmaline and spodumene.
Is this purple lepidolite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch purple lepidolite with a known reference. Purple Lepidolite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: purple, lavender, lilac, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: scaly aggregates, platy crystals, micaceous masses.
Often confused with
Purple Lepidolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Purple Lepidolite and vitreous to pearly or silky on Muscovite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Purple Lepidolite and splendent to submetallic, vitreous, pearly on cleavage on Biotite.
How to tell apart: Fluorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5-3); luster reads pearly on Purple Lepidolite and vitreous; dull when massive on Fluorite.
Often found alongside purple lepidolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with purple lepidolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Li,Al,Rb)₂(Al,Si)₄O₁₀(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.8-2.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly aggregates, platy crystals, micaceous masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Ornamental
- Host rock
- granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find purple lepidolite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Madagascar
- USA
- Canada
- Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: granite pegmatites. If you start seeing quartz, albite, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: scaly aggregates, platy crystals, micaceous masses. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico. Start trip planning there.
More purple lepidolite photos
Common questions
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Find purple lepidolite on the map
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