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lepidolite (ithia mica)
Lepidolite is the most common lithium mineral and an important mineral for extracting lithium. It is a basic aluminosilicate of potassium and lithium, which belongs to mica minerals. Generally, lepidolite is only produced in granite pegmatite. The main component of lepidolite is kli1 5Al1. 5 [alsi3o10] (F, oh) 2, containing Li2O of 1.23-5.90%, often containing rubidium, cesium, etc. Monoclinic system. The color is purple and pink, and can be light to colorless, with pearl luster. It is often in fine scale aggregate, short column, small sheet aggregate or large plate crystal. The hardness is 2-3, the specific gravity is 2.8-2.9, and the bottom cleavage is very complete. When melted, it can foam and produce a dark red lithium flame. Insoluble in acid, but after melting, it can also be affected by acids.
