One of the most powerful crystals you’ll come across is Lepidolite. First discovered in the 1800’s, it was originally named Lilalite, due to its luminous lilac colour. It was renamed Lepidolite after the Greek word “lepidos” meaning scale, because of its sharp edges and rough appearance. 

Those sharp edges are angled fragments (also known as cleavages) of mica, which reflect light, giving the stone its amazing brilliance. Quartz also courses through most Lepidolite, making it durable. The stone contains manganese, too, which produces its dazzling shades of purple, mauve, light lavender, and pink. Some specimens have been found that are colourless or yellow-gold, but they are rare. Lepidolite is found worldwide, including Australia, Madagascar, Brazil, and the United States.