Lepidolite

Item Description

Here we have a fine, gemmy, euhedral, sharp crystal of what has been referred to as "Lepidolite" for many years, but it must be noted that Lepidolite is no longer a valid mineral species. According to the information you can see on mindat.org, Lepidolite is now defined as a mineral in the so-called Polylithionite-Trilithionite series. In any case, the term Lepidolite is still used commonly, and we're sticking with it for the purpose of this listing. This piece has a rich purple color, and when strongly backlit, shows good internal gemminess. It should be noted that it's contacted on both ends, but still shows a few big, broad, smooth, well-formed faces on the front.
From the collection of Colin Manlove.