1. Heat a very small mineral fragment (using platinum forceps) or a bit of powdered mineral (using a platinum wire loop) with a lamp, candle, or Bunsen gas burner; lithium-bearing minerals produce an intense carmine-red flame, (lithium-bearing silicates are sometimes resistant to the test unless first mixed with some powdered gypsum); unlike the other alkali metals, lithium gives no alkaline reaction on moistened turmeric paper after ignition.