Lepidolite belongs to the mica family. It gets its name from the Greek words “lepidon” which means flake or scale and “lithos” which means stone. Most lepidolite contains lithium ore, the muscovite kind does not. Lepidolite also often contains pink tourmaline, which is the bright pink color you often see in polished pieces.

In the past, lepidolite was called “lilalith”, this is because of the lilac color that lepidolite contains. Lepidolite often has a pink-lilac color, but it can also be pink-red, purple, bluish or gray. Lepidolite is found in many places around the world.