Category: Labradorite

Labradorite is a member of the oligoclase, feldspar group and is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate. It is translucent to semi-opaque. Labradorite is truly a fascinatingly beautiful mineral. Its a mineral whose charm is not fully noticed and may be overlooked if not viewed from the proper position. Generally a dull, dark grey to grey-green looking mineral with no special virtue until the colorful schiller is observed glowing on the surface.  The attraction of labradorite comes from its phenomenal quality of peacock-like iridescence, caused by internal twinning striations and a lamellar structure within the stone.

It shows labradorescence (a mineral displays a brilliant play of colors on the surface of the stone). This effect is caused by interference of light from lattice distortions in the stone. The main color flashes in the stone are green, blue, gold, orange, red and sometimes violet. To best see this effect it must be in a light source. Labradorite is found in Canada, Madagascar, Mexico, Russia and the United States. In the 1940s Labradorite was discovered in Finland that exhibited the entire color spectrum, and these were named Spectrolite. This stone is named after Labrador, and is associated with many of the ancient magical practices of the region, including knot rituals.