Summary: The subsolidus phase equilibrium of the lithiophilite-tephroite system was studied in the temperature range 500 to 900 ° C. The solubility of tephroite in lithiophilite is limited and increases with temperature. The reaction is very sluggish and has peculiar kinetic properties. No reverse solubility was observed. Similar asymmetry was found in the LiMgPO₄-forsterite system of which a preliminary study was made. Apparent absences of silicate phosphate olivine solid solutions in nature are related to our experimental findings and to geological factors.