Appearance:
Color: Varies from white, gray, greenish, yellowish, or pinkish, depending on the ore type.
Luster: Vitreous to pearly.
Transparency: Opaque to translucent.
Density & Specific Gravity:
Spodumene: 3.1 -3.2 g/cm
Lepidolite: 2.8 - 3.0 g/cm
Petalite: 2.4 - 2.5 g/cm
Amblygonite: 2.98 - 3.11 g/cm
Hardness (Mohs Scale):
Spodumene: 6.5 - 7
Lepidolite: 2.5 - 4
Petalite: 6 - 6.5
Amblygonite: 5.5 - 6
Crystal System:
Spodumene: Monoclinic
Lepidolite: Monoclinic or Triclinic
Petalite: Monoclinic
Amblygonite: Triclinic
Cleavage & Fracture:
Spodumene: Perfect cleavage in two directions
Lepidolite: Perfect basal cleavage
Petalite: Perfect cleavage in one direction
Amblygonite: Good cleavage in one direction
Tenacity:
Spodumene: Brittle
Lepidolite: Sectile
Petalite: Brittle
Amblygonite: Brittle
Streak:
White or colorless for most lithium ores.
Magnetism & Conductivity:
Non-magnetic.
Poor electrical and thermal conductor.
Reactivity:
Lithium ores are stable under normal conditions but react with strong acids to release lithium ions.
Additional Notes:
Spodumene is the most commercially important lithium ore due to its high lithium content (~5-8% LiO).
Lepidolite is a significant source of lithium but contains a lower lithium concentration (~3-5% LiO).
Petalite is valued for its low iron content, making it useful for ceramic and glass applications.
Amblygonite has lower economic significance but contains both lithium and phosphorus.
