Micro-World Gems & Gemology, Summer 2025, Vol. 61, No. 2

Lithiophilite in Quartz

Liyan He, Wingtak Lui, and Wang Zhang

Download PDF
This orange inclusion in quartz (left) with a striated bipyramidal structure was identified as lithiophilite (right). Photos by Wingtak Lui (left) and Liyan He; field of view 13.0 mm (right).
 
This orange inclusion in quartz (left) with a striated bipyramidal structure was identified as lithiophilite (right). Photos by Wingtak Lui (left) and Liyan He; field of view 13.0 mm (right).

The 52.52 ct transparent colorless quartz in the figure above displayed a large orange crystal near the surface with a well-formed bipyramidal habit. The crystal surface showed growth features and had weak pleochroism.

Raman microanalysis identified the inclusion as lithiophilite. Lithiophilite (LiMn2+PO4) is a member of the triphylite group and quite rare as an inclusion in quartz, especially in such a well-crystallized form. Lithiophilite generally forms in granitic pegmatites, mostly in environments rich in lithium and phosphorus. This unique inclusion in quartz is one of the best well-crystallized examples of lithiophilite that the authors have observed.

Liyan He is affiliated with the Guangdong Gemstones & Precious Metals Testing Center in Guangzhou, China. Wingtak Lui and Wang Zhang are affiliated with Min De Minerals & Gem Research Co., Ltd. in Nanjing, China.