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Lepidolite
Lepidolite mica mined at Morro Redondo, Brazil.
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Scientific:
Lepidolite is a type of mica. Lepidolite is from the Greek word lepidos, meaning scale, because lepidolite normally appears scaly. Lepidolite is also known as
Lavenderine, Lepidolite mica, aem Lepidolite. Lepidolite mica is a lithium mica where an occasional lithium cation substitutes for some of the octahedral and tetrahedral aluminum in the mica crystal structure. It is made up of layers of hexagonal plates. It is accompanied by tourmaline, beryl, quartz, and morganite. It is found in granite pegmatites and zinc ore deposits. It is often found to have rubellite (pink tourmaline) inclusions. |
Lepidolite from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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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.
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palalepidolite
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Gem Lepidolite is found in Zimbabwe. Lepidolite is also found in Sweden, Argentina, Quebec/Canada, Madagascar, Urals/USSR, California and Maine/U.S.A
Variety of: Mica
Chemical Composition: KLi2Al(Al,
Si)3O10(F,
OH)2, Potassium lithium aluminum silicate hydroxide fluoride
Hardness: 2.5 - 3 |
Lepidolite cabochon from Zimbabwe
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History:
Lepidolite has been used as a source of lithium. This stone is a by-product of the mining of lithium.
It does not have a rich folklore history but it is gaining popularity today. Not commonly found in jewelry because of the nature of the stone making it hard to cut. However, jewelers today are learning how to cut the stone and it is making a place for itself in the current market. The pink to violet shades of the stone are attractive to jewelers and buyers both.
Interestingly enough, the name Zimbabwe means "stone houses" adding to the history of the lepidolite from the country of Zimbabwe. |
Botryoidal Lepidolite from Taquaral City Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Metaphysical:
Lepidolite is said to be very soothing and to have a calming effect, relieving anxiety and tension.
Lepidolite with rubellite tourmaline is said to bring happiness, joy and increased vitality, and to inspire love.
Lepidolite connects the heart and crown to bring spiritual understanding of pain and suffering.
It is also valuable in helping one to feel stable and grounded in the course of other stressful experiences, such as that of going through transitions. It helps people to reorganize their old ways of thinking and acting so that they can meet the challenge of change.
Lepidolite is itself a transition stone in that its color, a pinkish-lavender, relates to both the heart and third-eye chakras. Thus, in a situation in which one's reasoning mind and one's emotions are in conflict, it could be helpful to meditate with lepidolite on both the heart and third-eye, and to pass a quartz crystal from one point to the other.
Melody says that lepidolite used with green calcite and clear quartz will help for candida. |
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