Lepidolite

Receive one hand selected tumbled stone. Lepidolite is a lilac-gray or rose-colored member of the mica group of minerals with formula K(Li, Al, Rb)₂(Al, Si)₄O₁₀(F, OH)₂. It is the most abundant lithium-bearing mineral and is a secondary source of this metal. It is a phyllosilicate mineral and a member of the polylithionite-trilithionite series. Lepidolite’s name comes from the Greek translation of “scale,” which is a reference to its scaly appearance. It wasn’t discovered until 1861, and was initially called Lilalite due to its lavender hue. It contains the most lithium of any other mineral on earth. Lithium, an extremely light metal, has many high-tech uses. Its compounds are even used in some medications to regulate mood disorders. Lepidolite is also a rich source of other rare elements, including cesium and rubidium. Because Lepidolite contains so many valuable elements, it is highly sought after and mined for extraction. Lepidolite’s chemical composition is the reason why it is a p