Lepidolite

Item Description

Beautiful groups of violet-purple to silvery colored Lepidolite on cream colored Muscovite from the Coronel Murta area in Brazil. The Lepidolite crystals are wonderfully well-formed, showing somewhat hexagonal form with good transclucency when backlit. This is a nice quality Lepidolite, with virtually no pink color whatsoever, it is almost pure purple, which is uncommon in my experience with the material. Minor Albite can be seen mixed in as well. As of the time I have posted this auction, it is still unclear if Lepidolite is a valid species, or will be redefined / renamed, or completely discredited. Nonetheless, do not miss out on this great Brazilian display piece, as good specimens of Lepidolite (or any Mica species) are not common on the market, especially with this kind of color. The underside of the piece shows narrow "cast" after an unknown species (possibly Tourmaline??).