RocksdayCharoite vs Lepidolite
How to tell them apart
A swirling lilac-purple silicate known from only one place on Earth.
Photo: Piotr Sosnowski, CC BY 3.0
A lilac, lithium-bearing mica that forms sparkly scaly masses in pegmatites.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Hardness: Charoite is clearly harder: Mohs 5–6 versus 2.5–3.
Key differences
- Lepidolite is soft and scaly.
- Charoite is swirly, fibrous and harder.
Side by side
| Property | Charoite | Lepidolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 5–6 | 2.5–3 |
| Luster | Silky to vitreous | Pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Purple, Black, Orange | Purple, Pink, Gray |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic (fibrous) | Monoclinic |
| Specific gravity | 2.54–2.78 | 2.8–2.9 |
| Formula | K(Ca,Na)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH,F)·H₂O | K(Li,Al)₃(Al,Si,Rb)₄O₁₀(F,OH)₂ |
| Found in | Chara River, Siberia, Russia | Minas Gerais, Brazil; Madagascar |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify charoite
- Swirling, silky purple with chatoyant streaks.
- Black and orange specks of other minerals.
- Hardness about 5.5.
Crystal system: Monoclinic (fibrous)
Full Charoite guide →How to identify lepidolite
- Lilac to purple, glittering scaly flakes.
- Peels into thin flexible sheets.
- Soft — a fingernail almost scratches it.
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Full Lepidolite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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