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crystals,
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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, and
Gem 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. |
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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Teresa's Rock of the Week, formerly Gail's Rock of the Week |
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