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. Purple Lepidolite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Purple Lepidolite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 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.
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
- Typical price
- $5-30 per specimen
Where rockhounds find purple lepidolite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Madagascar
- USA
- Canada
- Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where purple lepidolite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a scaly aggregates, platy crystals, micaceous masses habit, so 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.
Common questions
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Find purple lepidolite on the map
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