Lepidolite Mica Individual Pieces
Lepidolite is a lithium-rich mineral widely used in industry around the world.
Although lithium is often believed to be the cause of the purplish-pink colour, it actually comes from impurities of manganese.
Silvery inclusions of mica with a glitter-like appearance shed very easily. For this reason, these pieces should be handled as little as possible.
Lepidolite is part of the mica group of minerals. They're also known as silicate minerals or sheet silicates because they form in distinctive layers or sheets.
The small flakes of mica have a pearlescent lustre and are used in skin care products, body lotions and cosmetics. They add sheen, sparkle or glow.
The electronics industry is the largest user of mica.
The product for which the chemical element lithium is best known is lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium is a silvery-white to grey metal with a metallic lustre. When exposed to air, it tarnishes to dull silvery-grey before turning black.
Although used in a wide variety of applications, it's best known for its use in lithium-ion batteries.
Mica is a heat resistant mineral that doesn't conduct electricity. As well as being soft and flaky it's also lightweight. The layers and flakes are flexible. Small flakes of mica break away very easily.
Lepidolite mica reflects light from every angle but it's incredibly difficult to capture in a photo.
These rough lepidolite mica pieces come from Brazil.
Malachite
