Lepidolite and Muscovite

Unknown Owner

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Mica species are not often seen in collector quality display specimens, as it is often viewed as an associated mineral. This is from a find of unusual crystals which were sliced, to show the zoning, and came out in the early 2000s. A pegmatite in the Aracuai district has produced these beautiful and contrasting specimens of rare bi-colored "Lepidolite" and Muscovite mica. It should be noted that Lepidolite is no longer a valid mineral species, and according to mindat.org, it is a "Li-rich mica in, or close to, the so-called Polylithionite-Trilithionite series." With that said, this piece is a beautiful slice/cleavage and has an unusual aesthetic standing in any case: gorgeous dual-colored mica with a strong purple "Lepidolite" rim and a silvery core of Muscovite in the center. Very attractive with beautiful form and coloration!