Lepidolite is a pale rose or lavender-gray mica mineral that contains lithium and rare metals like cesium and rubidium. Is lepidolite rare or common? Among mica minerals, lepidolite gemstones are one of the most common. However, gem-quality specimens of lepidolite are considered rare and exotic gemstones.
Wait, is lepidolite considered a gemstone? It depends on who you ask. To many geologists, lepidolites are considered minerals and not gemstones. However, most gemologists consider lepidolite a minor semi-precious gemstone.
That said, what gemstone family is lepidolite? Lepidolite belongs to the mica family, along with similar stones like muscovite and biotite.
Today, we’ll discuss all the lepidolite facts you need to know, starting with the basics.
Lepidolite is a mica gem ranging from light rose or lilac to deep purple or violet. If you’re wondering, the proper lepidolite pronunciation is luh-PI-duh-lite.
These purple minerals are better known for being secondary sources of lithium. You probably have lithium in your house within rechargeable batteries, kitchen appliances, or perhaps even medications!
For our astrology lovers, lepidolite is a zodiac stone for those born under Capricorn. The calming crystal offers these hard-working folks a well-earned rest, reducing stress and anxiety.
Other marketing and trade names for lepidolite include:
Lithia mica
Lithionite
Lithionglimmer
Lavenderine
Lilalite
Lilianthite
Flower Sugilite
Lepidolite is an aluminum-rich mica mineral, technically in the phyllosilicate mineral family. What is lepidolite made of exactly? The stone contains potassium, silica, lithium, aluminum, iron, and often cesium and/or rubidium.
Cesium and rubidium are rare alkali metals. Quick chemistry lesson: Alkali metals can neutralize acids and are reactive with water. Cesium is more reactive than rubidium, but either placed in water leads to an immediate explosion.
Have you ever wondered how we decided a second’s length of time? How do we measure it? The answer is cesium! A cesium clock, or atomic clock, measures the precise vibration of cesium’s atoms, in simplified terms, to measure each second.
Back to the mineral at hand, the lepidolite gemstone hardness ranks from 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale. This is a low ranking, meaning most materials will scratch it. However, lepidolite has an elastic tenacity, so it will go back to its original shape if bent instead of breaking.
Despite its many unique traits, many buyers confuse lepidolite with other stones. Let’s set the record straight on what is (and isn’t) lepidolite.
Given the greater popularity of other purple gemstones and minerals, lepidolite is commonly confused for similar-looking stones like amethyst. However, some types of lepidolite share the name of other stones.
Is purple mica the same as lepidolite? Most of the time, yes.
Some crystal experts say purple mica crystals are shiny while lepidolite is not, but lepidolite usually has a vitreous (glass-like) luster that shines. Any lithium mica, from polylithionite to trilithionite, is lepidolite.
What is the difference between lepidolite and amethyst?
Despite sharing a similar appearance, lepidolite and amethyst are entirely different stones. The most easily identifiable difference is their hardness, with amethyst ranking at 7 on the Mohs scale and lepidolite ranking from 2.5 to 4.
Chemically, lepidolite is a mica mineral, while amethyst is quartz. Lepidolite also forms in the monoclinic crystal system, while amethyst forms in the hexagonal system.
What about purple jade? Purple jade is sometimes considered a lepidolite variety, specifically a thick mass of fine-grained lepidolite usually containing impurities of other gemstones.
Learn the rest of lepidolite’s mineral properties below!
Color: Typically pink, purple, purple-gray, or red; Can be blue, yellow, gray, or colorless
Crystal structure: Monoclinic
Luster: Pearly to vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
Refractive index: 1.52-1.58
Density: 2.8-2.9
Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage on [001], producing flakes
Fracture: Uneven
Streak: White to colorless
Luminescence: Often fluorescent, somewhat intense; creamy white, pale yellow, or yellow
Pleochroism: Sometimes present; colorless and pink or lilac
You know the geological side, but what are lepidolite properties metaphysically?
“Lepidolite” comes from the Greek lepidos, meaning “scale,” after its scaly surface. Before “lepidolite,” the stone went by lilalite, for its lilac color.
Some etymologists point to the Sanskrit term lila, meaning “divine play” as lilalite’s etymological source. In Hinduism, this term has slightly different interpretations but always ties to the concept of Brahman.
German Indologist Paul Deussen described Brahman in Motilal Banarsidass as the “creative principle which lies realized in the whole world.” In basic terms, lila describes the playful way the “divine absolute” (Brahma) created the universe.
The color of lilac lepidolite symbolizes purity, spirituality, and devotion. Lepidolite has gained the nickname “Grandmother Stone” for its comforting, peaceful associations. It also represents acceptance and trust.
Those who meditate with the stone often repeat a lepidolite affirmation along the lines of: “I release my worries” or “I accept life’s hardships as opportunities to grow.”
Speaking of its uses, what are the healing lepidolite properties?
The colors and vibrations within crystals give them purported abilities as healing stones. Like other purple gemstones, the purple lepidolite crystal can bring passion, spirituality, and mental clarity.
Lepidolite is called a “Stone of Transition” for the belief that wearing a lepidolite necklace will bring emotional balance during major life transitions.
Let’s explore how lepidolite heals the mind and body.
Outside of the alternative medicine of crystal healing, lepidolite’s lithium content has mainstream medicinal uses! Common medications with lithium treat bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, and anxiety disorders by acting on the central nervous system (CNS).
Similarly, crystal healers recommend lepidolite for pain relief from neuralgia or sciatica. Other reported healing uses include improving the immune system and easing menopause symptoms.
Emotionally, lepidolite can lower negative emotions like guilt, grief, and anger. Also nicknamed the “Stone of Serenity.” lepidolite is said to help you calmly respond to others’ anger, providing level-headedness and empathy.
Additionally, lepidolite crystals may bring patience and a positive outlook, helping you release self-criticism and negativity. Some crystal healers recommend the stone’s gentle empowerment to those in toxic relationships, helping them climb out of emotional dependency.
Chakra healing is the process of balancing your chakras, seven energy centers that connect to physical and emotional symptoms. Lepidolite is a chakra stone for the crown chakra, where your spirit connects to the universe.
When the crown is blocked, you might feel disconnected or crave control. Once lepidolite opens the chakra, you can feel at one with yourself and the universe.
Of course, using lepidolite as a healing stone means buying it first! Read about lepidolite’s value factors next to make sure you get a fair deal.
Gemstone experts evaluate a stone’s value based on its gemstone properties. The relevant properties for the gem lepidolite include color, cut, luster, and transparency.
Lepidolite may form in a number of colors, but shades on the red to purple spectrum are most common. In their purest form, mica minerals are usually off-white, maybe with brown undertones.
What makes lepidolite purple? Actually, pink, red, and purple hues in lepidolite come from manganese inclusions. While colorless, yellow, blue, or gray lepidolites are rarer, they’re generally less valuable than the pink and purple varieties.
White lepidolite spots or specks are often from quartz. Green lepidolite splotches on purple to white specimens are usually from green tourmaline inclusions.
Lepidolite crystals vary in hardness, which, combined with their perfect cleavage, make faceting the stones very difficult. On the rare occasion that they are faceted, the facets are usually long and open.
More common cuts include lepidolite beads, cabochons, and slabs. Lepidolite tumbled stones and ornamental pieces are also popular. It may be carved into figurines, frames, and ashtrays. Large lepidolite tower crystals are also great for decor.
Lepidolite’s luster can be vitreous (glass-like) or pearly (caused by lithium flakes). Mica can make the stone glitter under light, and a vitreous luster enhances this effect.
In terms of transparency, lepidolite is usually translucent to opaque, though sometimes transparent. Translucent to transparent varieties are rarer and more valuable, but opaque lepidolite jewelry offers unique artistic charm.
How long has the world known about lepidolite’s charm? Let’s travel back through lepidolite’s history!
German chemist Martin Klaproth first described and named lepidolite in 1792. The lepidolite sample he studied came from the Czech Republic’s Vysočina region. Klaproth had a talent for mineral analysis, discovering the elements uranium, zirconium, and cerium in 1789 and 1803.
Lepidolite led to more element discoveries. In 1859, German chemist Robert Bunsen and Prussian physicist Gustav Kirchhoff invented the spectroscope together, then used it to discover cesium and rubidium. The rubidium discovery came from salts extracted from lepidolite rough!
Besides decoration, lepidolite also lends itself to glass, enamels, and glazes. It also holds importance as a source of lithium, mica flakes, cesium, and rubidium.
As a gemstone material, lepidolite or quartz-impregnated lepidolite has only started to see popularity in the past ten years or so.
Given the rarity of the elements inside, lepidolite can only form in certain conditions. So, what are the right conditions for lepidolite formation?
Raw lepidolite can only form in environments with lots of lithium present, which are rare. The stone typically forms through late-stage magmatic crystallization, where liquid magma cools and crystals start to take form.
Lithium ions usually form at the very end of this process. They outlast other ions to create lithium-rich stones like hiddenite, petalite, or of course, lepidolite.
Lepidolite forms inside pegmatites, greisens (an altered granite), or hydrothermal quartz veins. It occurs as scattered particles, layers of flat sheets (called “books”), and aggregates of either fine grains or arched sheets. Lepidolite crystals are often leaf-like and can be separated into thin sheets, characteristic of mica minerals.
Once it forms, where can you find lepidolite?
The most abundant lepidolite locales are Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Russia’s Ural Mountains, and the USA. In the US, most lepidolite comes from California, Colorado, Connectitut, and Maine.
Other lepidolite sources include:
Afghanistan
Czech Republic
Czechoslovakia
Finland
Germany
India
Japan
Mexico
Pakistan
Sweden
Western Australia
Zimbabwe
Buyers are likely more concerned with price, so what is the value of lepidolite?
Gem-quality lepidolite can be valuable, but it’s rarely used in faceted jewelry because of its low hardness and cleavage. However, you can incorporate lepidolite cut into affordable cabochons and beads into accessories!
Lepidolite cabochons are usually around $0.50 per carat. Beaded lepidolite strands range from $2 to $35 per strand in 8-16” strands. Lepidolite carvings run from $0.02-$0.06 per carat, while rough specimens are usually $0.04-$0.50 per carat.
You may like a beaded lepidolite bracelet, but its fragility means you’ll need to know how to care for it.
If you’re handling pure, raw lepidolite, you need to be careful not to let its edges crumble. Most lepidolite jewelry, however, is mixed with quartz for better durability. Still, the stone is sensitive to heat, household chemicals, and harder materials.
Can I shower with lepidolite? If it’s a quick shower, you should be okay — but we don’t recommend it. Long periods of water exposure can break down the easily crumbled lepidolite.
You can clean it with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. Just be sure to dry it carefully with a microfiber cloth. For storage, avoid direct sunlight to prevent color fade, and keep your lepidolite away from other gems.
Lepidolite may be relatively new to the mineral market, but its history shows its potential for impressive discoveries. Like the insight gained by the scientists who studied it, you can discover your own potential by gazing into a lepidolite sphere and keeping its energies close.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind purple stone? Buy lepidolite gemstones today!
鋰雲母是一種淡玫瑰色或淡紫色灰色的雲母礦物,含有鋰和銫和銣等稀有金屬。鋰雲母是稀有還是常見?在雲母礦物中,鋰雲母寶石是最常見的一種。然而,寶石級鋰雲母標本被認為是稀有和異國情調的寶石。
等等,鋰雲母算寶石嗎?這取決於你問誰。對許多地質學家來說,鋰雲母被認為是礦物而不是寶石。然而,大多數寶石學家認為鋰雲母是一種次要的半寶石。
也就是說,鋰雲母是什麼寶石家族?鋰雲母與白雲母和黑雲母等類似的石頭屬於雲母家族。
今天,我們將從基礎開始討論您需要了解的所有鋰雲母事實。
鋰雲母是一種雲母寶石,從淺玫瑰色或丁香色到深紫色或紫羅蘭色不等。如果您想知道,正確的鋰雲母發音是 luh-PI-duh-lite。
這些紫色礦物以鋰的二次來源而聞名。您家中的可充電電池、廚房用具甚至藥物中可能含有鋰!
對於我們的占星術愛好者來說,鋰雲母是摩羯座出生的人的生肖石。鎮靜水晶為這些辛勤工作的人提供了應得的休息,減輕壓力和焦慮。
鋰雲母的其他營銷和商品名稱包括:
雲母鋰
鋰礦
鋰電
薰衣草素
紫蘇
百合石
花蘇木
鋰雲母是一種富含鋁的雲母礦物,技術上屬於頁矽酸鹽礦物家族。鋰雲母究竟是由什麼製成的?石頭含有鉀、二氧化矽、鋰、鋁、鐵,通常還含有銫和/或銣。
銫和銣是稀有的鹼金屬。快速化學課:鹼金屬可以中和酸並與水反應。銫比銣更具反應性,但無論是放在水中都會導致立即爆炸。
你有沒有想過我們是如何決定一秒鐘的時間長度的?我們如何衡量它?答案是銫!銫鐘或原子鐘,簡而言之,測量銫原子的精確振動,以測量每一秒。
回到手頭的礦物,鋰雲母寶石硬度在莫氏礦物硬度標度上排名從 2.5 到 4。這是一個低排名,這意味著大多數材料都會刮傷它。然而,鋰雲母具有彈性韌性,因此如果彎曲而不是斷裂,它會恢復到原來的形狀。
儘管鋰雲母具有許多獨特的特性,但許多買家將鋰雲母與其他寶石混淆了。讓我們直接記錄什麼是(和不是)鋰雲母。
鑑於其他紫色寶石和礦物更受歡迎,鋰雲母通常與紫水晶等外觀相似的寶石混淆。然而,某些類型的鋰雲母與其他石頭的名稱相同。
紫色雲母和鋰雲母一樣嗎?大多數時候,是的。
一些水晶專家說紫色雲母晶體有光澤,而鋰雲母則沒有,但鋰雲母通常具有發光的玻璃狀(玻璃狀)光澤。任何鋰雲母,從聚鋰硫礦到三鋰硫礦,都是鋰雲母。
鋰雲母和紫水晶有什麼區別?
儘管外觀相似,鋰雲母和紫水晶是完全不同的石頭。最容易識別的區別是它們的硬度,紫水晶在莫氏硬度等級上排名第 7,鋰雲母排名從 2.5 到 4。
在化學上,鋰雲母是一種雲母礦物,而紫水晶是石英。鋰雲母也在單斜晶系中形成,而紫水晶在六方晶系中形成。
紫玉呢?紫玉有時被認為是鋰雲母品種,特別是厚厚的細粒鋰雲母,通常含有其他寶石的雜質。
在下面了解鋰雲母的其他礦物特性!
顏色:通常為粉紅色、紫色、紫灰色或紅色;可以是藍色、黃色、灰色或無色
晶體結構:單斜
光澤:珠光至玻璃
透明度:透明到不透明
折射率:1.52-1.58
密度:2.8-2.9
解理:[001] 上的完美基部解理,產生薄片
骨折:不均勻
條紋:白色至無色
發光:通常是熒光的,有點強烈;乳白色、淡黃色或黃色
多色性:有時存在;無色和粉紅色或淡紫色
你知道地質方面,但什麼是鋰雲母的形而上學特性?
“Lepidolite”來自希臘語lepidos ,意思是“鱗片”,取自其鱗片狀的表面。在“鋰雲母”之前,由於其淡紫色的顏色,這塊石頭是淡紫色的。
一些詞源學家指出梵文術語lila ,意思是“神聖的遊戲”作為淡紫色的詞源。在印度教中,這個詞的解釋略有不同,但總是與婆羅門的概念聯繫在一起。
德國印度學家保羅·杜森(Paul Deussen)在Motilal Banarsidass中將婆羅門描述為“在全世界實現的創造性原則”。用基本術語來說, lila描述了“絕對神聖”(梵天)創造宇宙的有趣方式。
淡紫色鋰雲母的顏色象徵著純潔、靈性和奉獻。鋰雲母因其舒適、和平的聯想而獲得了“祖母石”的綽號。它也代表接受和信任。
那些用石頭打坐的人經常重複鋰雲母的肯定,比如:“我釋放我的煩惱”或“我接受生活的艱辛作為成長的機會”。
說到它的用途,鋰雲母的治療特性是什麼?
水晶內的顏色和振動賦予它們作為治療石的據稱能力。與其他紫色寶石一樣,紫色鋰雲母水晶可以帶來激情、靈性和精神清晰。
鋰雲石被稱為“過渡之石”,因為相信佩戴鋰雲石項鍊會在人生重大轉變期間帶來情緒平衡。
讓我們探索鋰雲母如何治愈身心。
除了水晶癒合的替代藥物,鋰雲母的鋰含量還有主流的藥用價值!鋰的常見藥物通過作用於中樞神經系統 (CNS) 來治療雙相情感障礙、阿爾茨海默氏症和焦慮症。
同樣,水晶治療師推薦鋰雲母來緩解神經痛或坐骨神經痛。其他報導的治療用途包括改善免疫系統和緩解更年期症狀。
在情感上,鋰雲母可以降低負罪感、悲傷和憤怒等負面情緒。也被稱為“寧靜之石”。鋰雲母據說可以幫助你冷靜地回應他人的憤怒,提供冷靜的頭腦和同理心。
此外,鋰雲母晶體可能會帶來耐心和積極的前景,幫助您釋放自我批評和消極情緒。一些水晶治療師向那些處於有毒關係中的人推薦石頭的溫和授權,幫助他們擺脫情感依賴。
脈輪治療是平衡脈輪的過程,脈輪是與身體和情緒症狀相關的七個能量中心。鋰雲母是頂輪的脈輪石,您的精神與宇宙相連。
當表冠被阻塞時,您可能會感到斷開連接或渴望控制。一旦鋰雲母打開脈輪,你就可以感覺到自己和宇宙合而為一。
當然,使用鋰雲母作為療傷石意味著先購買它!接下來閱讀鋰雲母的價值因素,以確保您獲得公平交易。
寶石專家根據寶石特性評估寶石的價值。寶石鋰雲母的相關特性包括顏色、切工、光澤和透明度。
鋰雲母可以形成多種顏色,但最常見的是紅色到紫色光譜的色調。最純淨的雲母礦物通常呈灰白色,可能帶有棕色底色。
什麼使鋰雲母呈紫色?實際上,鋰雲母中的粉紅色、紅色和紫色色調來自錳夾雜物。雖然無色、黃色、藍色或灰色鋰雲母較為罕見,但它們的價值通常低於粉色和紫色品種。
白色鋰雲母斑點或斑點通常來自石英。紫色至白色標本上的綠色鋰雲母斑點通常來自綠色電氣石包裹體。
鋰雲母晶體的硬度各不相同,再加上它們完美的解理,使得刻面寶石變得非常困難。在極少數情況下,它們是刻面的,刻面通常是長而開放的。
更常見的切割包括鋰雲母珠、 凸圓形和平板。鋰雲母滾石和裝飾件也很受歡迎。它可以雕刻成小雕像、框架和煙灰缸。大型鋰雲母塔晶體也非常適合裝飾。
鋰雲母的光澤可以是玻璃狀(玻璃狀)或珍珠狀(由鋰薄片引起)。雲母可以使石頭在光線下閃閃發光,而玻璃光澤則增強了這種效果。
在透明度方面,鋰雲母通常是半透明到不透明的,儘管有時是透明的。半透明到透明的品種更稀有,更有價值,但不透明的鋰雲母首飾則具有獨特的藝術魅力。
世界知道鋰雲母的魅力有多久了?讓我們回顧一下鋰雲母的歷史吧!
德國化學家 Martin Klaproth 於 1792 年首次描述並命名了鋰雲母。他研究的鋰雲母樣品來自捷克共和國的 Vysočina 地區。克拉普羅斯具有礦物分析天賦,在 1789 年和 1803 年發現了鈾、鋯和鈰元素。
鋰雲母導致了更多元素的發現。 1859年,德國化學家羅伯特·本生和普魯士物理學家古斯塔夫·基爾霍夫共同發明了光譜儀,然後用它發現了銫和銣。銣的發現來自從鋰雲母原石中提取的鹽!
除了裝飾外,鋰雲母還適用於玻璃、琺瑯和釉料。它作為鋰、雲母片、銫和銣的來源也很重要。
作為一種寶石材料,鋰雲母或石英浸漬的鋰雲石在過去十年左右才開始流行。
鑑於內部元素的稀有性,鋰雲母只能在某些條件下形成。那麼,鋰雲母形成的合適條件是什麼?
原始鋰雲母只能在存在大量鋰的環境中形成,這種情況很少見。石頭通常通過後期岩漿結晶形成,此時液態岩漿冷卻並開始形成晶體。
鋰離子通常在這個過程的最後形成。它們比其他離子更持久,可以製造出富含鋰的石頭,如隱輝石、透鋰長石,當然還有鋰雲母。
鋰雲母形成於偉晶岩、greisens(一種蝕變的花崗岩)或熱液石英脈中。它以分散的顆粒、平板層(稱為“書”)和細顆粒或拱形片的聚集體的形式出現。鋰雲母晶體通常是葉狀的,可以分成薄片,這是雲母礦物的特徵。
一旦形成,你在哪裡可以找到鋰雲母?
最豐富的鋰雲母地區是巴西、加拿大、馬達加斯加、俄羅斯的烏拉爾山脈和美國。在美國,大多數鋰雲母來自加利福尼亞、科羅拉多、康涅狄格和緬因州。
其他鋰雲母來源包括:
阿富汗
捷克共和國
捷克斯洛伐克
芬蘭
德國
印度
日本
墨西哥
巴基斯坦
瑞典
澳大利亞西部
津巴布韋
買家可能更關心價格,那麼鋰雲母的價值是多少?
寶石級鋰雲母可能很有價值,但由於其低硬度和解理,很少用於刻面珠寶。但是,您可以將鋰雲母切割成經濟實惠的凸圓形寶石和珠子作為配飾!
鋰雲母凸圓形寶石通常約為每克拉 0.50 美元。串珠鋰雲母股線的價格從 8-16 英寸股線中的每股 2 美元到 35 美元不等。鋰雲母雕刻品的價格為每克拉 0.02 美元至 0.06 美元,而原石標本的價格通常為每克拉 0.04 美元至 0.50 美元。
您可能喜歡串珠鋰雲母手鍊,但它的脆弱性意味著您需要知道如何保養牠。
如果您處理的是純淨的未加工鋰雲母,則需要小心不要讓它的邊緣碎裂。然而,大多數鋰雲母首飾都與石英混合以獲得更好的耐用性。儘管如此,石頭還是對熱、家用化學品和較硬的材料敏感。
我可以用鋰雲母淋浴嗎?如果是快速淋浴,你應該沒問題 - 但我們不推薦它。長時間暴露在水中會分解容易破碎的鋰雲母。
您可以用溫水、溫和的肥皂和軟刷清潔它。請務必用超細纖維布小心擦乾。儲存時,避免陽光直射以防止顏色褪色,並使鋰雲母遠離其他寶石。
鋰雲母對礦產市場來說可能相對較新,但它的歷史表明它具有令人印象深刻的發現的潛力。就像研究它的科學家所獲得的洞察力一樣,您可以通過凝視鋰雲母球體並保持其能量接近來發現自己的潛力。
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