Lepidolite was first discovered in 1861 and originally called "lilalite" because of its lavender color. It was later named "lepidolite" from the Greek "lepidos"--which means "scale"--because of its scaly appearance...

Lepidolite is mined as a source of the element lithium along with other rare earth elements such as cesium and rubidium. It is an important source of lithium, the lightest metal...