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Lepidolite Mica Mineral Information
With links to several additional mica varieties:
Lepidolite is a variety of muscovite mica.
When muscovite occurs with a significant percentage lithium impurities in the mica crystal structure is known as
Lepidolite is an igneous mineral occuring mainly in pegmatites. Lepidolite Mica Information Topics:
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Mica Varieties
Lepidolite is a variety of the mineral Mica.
Mica Varieties (Biotite, Fuchsite, Lepidolite, Muscovite...) & Mica Products In Our Online Store
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LEPIDOLITE MICA PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- Chemical composition of lepidolite mica:
- Lepidolite: K2(Li4-3Al2-3)Si8-6Al0-2O20(OH,F)4
- Lepidolite Mica Class: phyllosilicate
- Lepidolite Mica Crystal system: monoclinic; 2m
- Lepidolite Mica Crystal habit: platy, micaceous, also compact massive. Foliated sheets can be (rarely) aggregated into globular or botryoidal form, also cryptocrystalline. Distinct crystals are uncommon and are typically tabular with a book-like form with basal planes, showing a hexagonal or diamond-shaped outline. Prism faces are striated horizontally and frequently taper.
- Lepidolite Twinning: occasional twinning on {110}, a twin axis in the {001} composition plane forms the complex mica twin.
- Lepidolite Mica Specific gravity: 2.2-3.3
- Lepidolite Index of refraction: 1.52-1.59
- Lepidolite Birefringence: .018-.038
- Lepidolite Pleochroism: pale violet or green
- Lepidolite Mica Hardness: 2.5-4.0
- Color: lepidolite is pink to lilac to light gray to yellow-green
- Lepidolite Mica Luster: vitreous, pearly, metallic
- Lepidolite Transparency: translucent, transparent in thin sheets
- Lepidolite Mica Cleavage: perfect basal cleavage
- Streak: white
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LEPIDOLITE MICA BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The micas are complex hydrous potassium-aluminum silicate minerals. There are more than 20 chemically distinct mica species with considerable variance in geologic occurance, but all have essentially the same crystal structure. The micas crystallize with a sheet structure, the sheets being held together by relatively weak bonds resulting in the perfect basal cleavage of the micas.
Muscovite is the pure potassium mica, containing no impurities. There are several muscovite varieties.
Lepidolite mica is a lithian muscovite mica where an occaisional lithium
cation substitutes for some of the octahedral and tetrahedral aluminum in the mica crystal
structure.
Zinnwaldite is a lithian ferrous muscovite mica, where lithium and
iron cations substitute for some of the octahedral and tetrahedral aluminum.
Fuchsite mica is a chromium rich variety of muscovite where chromium cations substitute for some of the octahedral aluminum in the muscovite crystal structure. The chromium impurities in fuchsite are responsible for its emerald green color.
Biotite is the most common of the micas, containing iron and/or magnesium impurities substituting for octahedral aluminum.
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LEPIDOLITE OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES
The micas have a very wide range of geological occurances. The many varieties of mica are distinguished by their chemical composition, some varieties occuring only in very specific geological settings while others have more widespread occurances.
Lepidolite mica occurs mainly in granitic pegmatites associated with quartz, microline, albite, smoky quartz, black tourmaline, amblygonite and occaisionally the gem varieties of elbaite tourmaline and liddicoatite tourmaline, and also the mineral spodumene (usually as the spodumene variety kunzite).
Biotite mica is the most common of the micas, in fact it is the most common ferromagnesian mineral! It occurs in most igneous and metamorphic rocks, and it is also commonly found in detrital sediments.
Muscovite mica also is a very widespread and common rock forming mineral. In igneous rocks it is characteristic of granites and granite pegmatites, and in metamorphic rocks it is very common especially in some mica schists where it is the most predominant mineral.
In some mica schists and quartzites, muscovite crystallizes
with chromium impurities resulting in the emerald green colored variety
fuchsite. When microscopic flakes of fuchsite mica crystallize inside
of quartzite giving it a green color, the rock is known as
green aventurine quartz which is a popular lapidary
material. Muscovite also commonly occurs
as sericite, a fine-grained alteration product of other minerals.
Zinnwaldite mica occurs mainly in granite pegmatites and high temperature hydrothermal veins.
The micas are usually recognized by their perfect basal cleavage. Some mica varieties can be distinguished with reasonable certainty by their color.
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MICA HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND USES
The name mica was derived from the Latin micare which meant to shine. Biotite was named after the French physicist J. B. Biot. The name Muscovite was derived from the term muscovy-glass which it was previously known by because of its widespread use as a glass substitute in the old Russian state of Muscovy in the 14th century.
Lepidolite is one of the most economically important sources of the element lithium.
Mica (muscovite in particular) has a wide variety of uses as an insulating material in electrical equipment due to its strongly dielectric properties and to its good electrical resistivity and capacitance stability. Mica also has a low coefficient of expansion, and it has been used extensively because of its heat resisting properties. Mica is used extensively in paints to increase weatherability and to reduce running, it is also used in the manufacture of wallpapers to give them a silky or shiny luster. Mica is also used in the manufacture of lubricants and in dry-powder fire extinguishers.
The astrological sign of biotite is Scorpio, and the sign of muscovite is Aquarius.
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METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Lepidolite is said to be very soothing and to have a calming effect,
relieving anxiety and tension, and to provide physical, mental and emotional balance.
Lepidolite with pink tourmaline is said to bring happiness, joy
and increased vitality, and to inspire love. The use of pink tourmaline jewelry is said to enhance spirituality, to generate feelings of love, and to
augment creativity. Wearing pink tourmaline earrings or jewelry is also said to give wisdom and enhance one's willpower.
Biotite is said to enhance one's perception, allowing one to more
clearly understand what is really happening in any situation.
Fuchsite is said to enhance the body's ability to heal itself, and
to increase the effectiveness of other minerals that are being used in healing.
Muscovite is said to increase one's understanding and perception,
and to enhance one's reflective abilities.
For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.
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Last Updated: October 31, 2023
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