Lepidolite from Tørdal, Telemark, Norway

This lepidolite specimen comes from a pegmatite occurrence near Tørdal in the municipality of Drangedal, Telemark, Norway. The piece consists of a broad, layered aggregate of lithium-rich mica with violet to pale violet colors.

The thin mica layers display the characteristic pearly to vitreous luster on their cleavage surfaces. Depending on the angle of illumination, the violet coloration and silvery luster appear with varying intensity. With a length of 6.5 cm, the piece belongs to the small cabinet specimen size category.

Lithium-Rich Mica from the Pegmatites of Tørdal

The Tørdal region is known for numerous granite pegmatites containing a variety of rare and lithium-bearing minerals. Lepidolite has been described from several pegmatites in the region and is documented in earlier mineralogical studies of Tørdal.

The name lepidolite is used as a group or field term for lithium-rich micas of the polylithionite–trilithionite series. Characteristic features include a layered structure, perfect cleavage, and commonly pink to violet colors.