The mineral lepidolite is a potassium-lithium-aluminium-fluoro-phyllosilicate with the chemical formula KLi₂AlSi₄O₁₀F(OH). The colourless, white, yellowish, or pinkish lepidolite consists of aluminium silicate, potassium, and aluminium lithiumate hydroxide and may contain traces of rubidium. It is characterised by good cleavage. The mineral is opaque and sensitive to acid and hot water; therefore, it loses its colour. The average density is 2.84, and the hardness is 2.5 to 3. The crystal system is monoclinic, and the streak is white. Lepidolite is named after the Greek words lepidion and lithos, meaning "shell" and "stone", respectively. The mineral occurs mainly in lithium-rich pegmatites. The type locality is Pala, San Diego, California, USA.