Labradorite – a unique stone with a labradorescence effect
Number of products : 465Labradorite is a mineral with a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale. It is usually gray in color with iridescent reflections that appear in various colors, such as blue, green, gold, and orange. The chemical components of labradorite include silica, calcium oxide, and sodium oxide.
Labradorite is mainly found in Canada, on the Labrador Peninsula, but it is also mined in other parts of the world, such as Madagascar, Russia, Finland, Norway, Mexico, Australia, and the United States.
What is labradorite and what are its properties?
Labradorite is a mineral from the feldspar group, named after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, where it was discovered. Its most attractive feature is the labradorescence effect, which makes the mineral shimmer and change colors depending on the angle of light. This makes labradorite highly valued in jewelry.
Main characteristics of labradorite
Chemical properties
- It belongs to the group of feldspars, more specifically to plagioclases.
- It consists mainly of sodium and calcium silicates.
- The presence of other minerals, such as ilmenite or anorthite, affects the intensity of labradorescence.
Physical properties
- Labradorite has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, which makes it durable but susceptible to scratching.
- Its natural color is shades of gray, but thanks to its labradorescence, it shimmers with shades of blue, green, and other colors.
The use of labradorite in jewelry
Labradorite is unique due to its shimmering effect. This makes it very popular in jewelry. These stones can take various forms, such as cabochons, plates or precious specimens, which offers great design possibilities. Jewelry made of labradorite is elegant and eye-catching with its unique luster and colors.
Labradorescence effect
This effect is caused by the diffraction and interference of light on the internal microstructures of the mineral, which makes labradorite shimmer in blue, green, orange, and other shades, depending on the angle of view.
Occurrence of labradorite
The largest deposits of labradorite are found in Canada, Norway, Finland, Russia, and Madagascar. The varieties mined there differ in the intensity of the labradorescence effect, and stones with particularly vivid colors fetch high prices.
Spiritual properties of labradorite
In the metaphysical realm, labradorite is considered a stone that supports the development of intuition and spirituality, as well as protection against negative energies.