Strange Gem Lepidolite

Lepidolite is commonly known as one of the industrial sources of lithium. And although lepidolite is not a mineral in the strict sense of the word, and the term denotes a mineral variety of the isomorphic miscibility series polylithionite - trilithionite, in industrial geology and gemology the term has taken root and is widely used, such as chrysolite for a jewelry variety from the isomorphic miscibility series forsterite - fayalite . Of course, no one would have thought to use a soft stone (solid on the Mohs scale 2.5-4) for jewelry purposes, and even having a very perfect cleavage. But the thing is that lepidolite often forms fine-grained aggregates, in which the undesirable effect of cleavage is leveled by the chaotic arrangement of grains, and the hardness of such an aggregate increases (up to 4 on the Mohs scale). In addition, albite and potassium feldspar are often also present in the lepidolite aggregate in amounts that increase the overall hardness of the gemstone up to 5 or even up to 5.5. Lepidolite in the form of a micro- or fine-grained aggregate or lepidolite-feldspar rock is quite suitable for use as an ornamental material, from which not only decorative items are made, but also cabochon inserts in jewelry.