Lepidolite as a mineral lacks the hardness and tenacity to be a good gem material. However, it is sometimes impregnated with quartz, and that gives it durability. Lepidolite impregnated with quartz makes an attractive pink to purple gemstone, but what makes these stones even more desirable are the bright flashes that occur when the mica cleavage surfaces reflect light. This material is used to produce cabochons, beads, tumbled stones, and ornamental items. They are usually sold as “lepidolite” without giving the quartz proper credit for its important job.

Lepidolite is also an important ingredient in the quartz gem known as “aventurine”. The aventurescence and color of pink, red, and purple aventurine is often caused by the presence of tiny flakes of lepidolite within the quartz. Just a few weight percent of lepidolite flakes can be enough to impart a distinct color in aventurine.