Lepidolite

Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica that forms in granitic pegmatites - the same boron and lithium-enriched environments that produce tourmaline, spodumene, and other lithium minerals. Its purple color comes from its lithium and manganese content.

As a mica, lepidolite has a layered crystal structure - thin sheets that can be peeled apart, just like muscovite (the clear mica in granite). But unlike common micas, lepidolite contains significant lithium, making it one of the most important lithium ore minerals. With the surge in lithium demand for batteries, lepidolite deposits that were historically mined only for their mineral specimens are now being evaluated as lithium sources.

Lepidolite often occurs as massive, fine-grained aggregates that polish well - these are the pieces most commonly seen in the crystal market. Large individual crystals are much rarer and are prized by mineral collectors.

Lepidolite is identified by its distinctive lilac to purple color combined with a pearly, flaky mica texture. It's soft (2.5 Mohs, scratchable with a fingernail) and has perfect basal cleavage - it separates into thin flexible sheets.

Distinguish from amethyst (much harder, crystalline, transparent), charoite (swirled pattern, harder), and sugilite (harder, waxy luster, no flaky texture). The mica texture - visible flakes and sheets - is diagnostic. If a purple mineral flakes when you run your nail across it, it's likely lepidolite.