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Lepidolite and Tourmaline Mineral Specimen

$20.00

Lepidolite forms in distinctive leaf-like crystals of pale pinkish-purple to violet with a pearly luster. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system as tabular and pseudo-hexagonal crystals.

Tourmaline comes in a wide range of colors with its primary colors are pink, green, and blue-green. The name comes from the Sinhalese word “Turmali” or “Thoramalli” , which is applied to a variety of gemstones found in Sri Lanka. Elbaite, a member of the tourmaline group of complex aluminum borosilicates, crystallizes in the hexagonal system, as short-to-long prisms.

Size: 2″ x 3.5″

Locality: Brazil

SKU: LEP16. Tags: .

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Lepidolite and Tourmaline Mineral Specimen

LEPIDOLITE

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Lepidolite, pronounced leh-PIH-dough-lite, was recognized as a mineral species in 1792.  Its name is derived from the Greek lepidos, meaning “scale,” referring to its scale-like or leaf-like crystal form.  Lepidolite is collected in Brazil, Switzerland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, and the United States (South Dakota, New Mexico, Maine, Colorado, New Hampshire, North Carolina).

 

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Lepidolite [potassium lithium aluminum fluorosilicate, KAl1.5Al1.5AlSi3O10F2] is a series name for several very closely related, lithium-rich, mica-group minerals.  It crystallizes in the monoclinic system as tabular, pseudo-hexagonal crystals and scaly aggregates of thin, leaf-like crystals known as “mica books.”  Lepidolite has a diagnostic, pale, pinkish-purple to violet color and is translucent with a pearly luster.  It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3.0, perfect cleavage in one direction, a specific gravity of 2.8-3.3, and occurs primarily in granite pegmatites in association with quartz, elbaite, and spodumene.

 

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: In metaphysical usage, lepidolite is a stone of calmness, trust, and acceptance that eases depression and stress, aids in difficult transitions, and encourages independence.  It is also thought to reduce pain when placed on the body.  Lepidolite is a former minor ore of lithium.

 

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Lepidolite is an uncommon mineral that is collected for its pleasing, pinkish-purple to violet colors, unusual “mica-book” crystal habit, and frequent association in composite specimens with such other pegmatite minerals as quartz, elbaite, and spodumene.

 

ELBAITE

 

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Elbaite, pronounced ELL-buh-ite, has been known since antiquity, but was not recognized as a distinct mineral species until 1913.  It is named for its type locality on the island of Elba, Italy.  Elbaite is collected in Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Italy, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the United States (Maine, California).

 

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Elbaite [basic sodium aluminum lithium borosilicate, Na(Al1.5,Li1.5)Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4], a member of the tourmaline group, crystallizes in the hexagonal system as short-to-long, striated prisms with hexagonal cross sections and flat terminations.  It is transparent to translucent, has a vitreous luster, and is usually pink, reddish-pink, green, or blue-green.  It has a substantial Mohs hardness of 7.0-7.5, no cleavage, a refractive index of 1.615-1.651, and a specific gravity of 2.9-3.2.  Elbaite occurs primarily in lithium-rich, granite pegmatites.

 

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Modern metaphysical practitioners believe that pink elbaite removes fear and negativity, calms the nerves, provides inspiration, and dispels grief; green elbaite is thought to promote compassion and emotional healing and help to connect with the Earth.  Green elbaite is especially valuable in helping herbalists to understand the flow of energy between minerals and plants.  Elbaite is a valuable and important gemstone.  Transparent crystals with rich, pink, green, or blue-green colors are faceted into costly gems.

 

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Because of its wide range of colors, excellent crystal development, and sometimes large crystal size, collectors value elbaite as individual crystals and as composite specimens in association with quartz and albite.

SKU: LEP16 Tag: .

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