Today, the most highly prized variety of labradorite still comes from Labradore, however some extremely valuable specimen also come from Finland, where labradorite is known as spectrolite. Spectrolite and labradorite are also sometimes known as moonstone , however experts are still not in agreement as to whether or not the stones are actually the same.
Labradorite was extremely popular for jewelry in France and England in the 18th century. It was also used as an ornamental material for engraving and carving. Labradorite is a sodium rich plagioclase feldspar , which is not imitated or produced synthetically.
The stone is very difficult to cut, so it is not often seen, even though it is abundant. It requires a special skill that most cutters do not have, to bring out its characteristic colors. Because of this difficulty in cutting the stone, its value is quite low.
Labradorite is best cut as a low cabochon. It is usually found as a compact mass in igneous and metamorphic rocks and is rarely found as crystals. Iridescent labradorite is mainly found in ancient crystalline rocks that formed deep in the crust. Rest a string of golden labradorite beads on top of the head and through the hair to heal tears in the aura. What is the best color of labradorite? Oregon gems are colorless to pale yellow but often are green or red-orange with a pink Schiller.
These odd colors are due to copper and lead, and the Schiller is due to colloidal copper. Labradorite was, of course, named for its occurrence in Labrador. Labradorite Information. Will labradorite fade in the sun? Sun exposure can cause fading to your crystals as well as make them more brittle or extremely hot. Labradorite is generally known to be okay with light. Extended periods of direct sunlight may cause deeply coloured Labradorite to fade over time.
How can you tell a labradorite? Identifying Labradorite Labradorite can be identified by its labradorescence, or schiller effect iridescence. This means that it exhibits a brilliant play of color, often appearing as a blue or green sheen, or as a whole spectrum of colors, known as labradorescence, which is more highly valued.
Which crystals Cannot get wet? Common stones that can't get wet include: amber, turquoise, red coral, fire opal, moonstone, calcite, kyanite, kunzite, angelite, azurite, selenite. What type of rock is labradorite? Why is it called labradorite?
Usually having a dark base color, what sets the stone apart from other semi-precious stones are the multicolor streaks inside. The minor fractures within the stone reflect light in a way that is bounced back at different wavelengths. This reflection at varying wavelengths is what brings out the varying colors in labradorite and give it the amazing iridescence it is known for. Unlike with most other mineral specimens, fractures are a good thing!
The hardness of the stone ranges from 6 to 6. To identify labradorite from other similar looking gems various chemical test, X-rays, and gravity tests can be conducted. Most experienced collectors can visually identify them. Due to its amazing look, the stone is believed to have magical properties and there some extraordinary legends that surround its origin.
It is, therefore, a thought that the iridescent colors within the rocks represent the light that remained trapped. Others believe that the stone is actually frozen fire, which may be because of the brilliant copper and red tones that appear in the streaks of iridescence found in the stone. Regardless of the legends, the gem is indeed an extraordinary sight which is why its origins have been associated with mystical legends.
Due to its heavenly appearance and mythical origin stories, the gem is thought by many to have magical powers and healing properties. People keep the gem in order to relieve a number of ailments. Different twinning surfaces within the stone reflect different colors of light. Light reflecting from different twinning surfaces in various parts of the stone can give the stone a multi-colored appearance.
Blue labradorite: Photograph of a labradorite cabochon with an electric blue play-of-color. Photograph by Joanna-Palys copyright iStockphoto. Labradorite is a mineral in the plagioclase series, and it shares many of the properties of plagioclase minerals.
Plagioclase minerals frequently exhibit twinning and striations on cleavage faces. Labradorite is the only mineral in the plagioclase series that exhibits strong labradorescence; however, many specimens of labradorite do not exhibit the phenomenon.
Without seeing labradorescence, distinguishing labradorite from other members of the plagioclase series can be difficult. The methods used for distinguishing them are x-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, optical tests, and specific gravity determinations on pure specimens.
Sunstone: Much of the gem-quality feldspar mined in Oregon and sold as "Oregon Sunstone" is actually labradorite feldspar. Oregon Sunstone: Close-up photo of a beautiful cabochon showing flashes of aventurescence caused by light reflecting from the copper platelet inclusions within the stone.
Some of this material is labradorite and known as "Oregon Sunstone. Labradorite has become a popular gemstone because of the unique iridescent play-of-color that many specimens exhibit. The quality, hue, and brilliance of the labradorescence varies from one specimen to another and within a single specimen.
Stones with exceptional color are often given the name "spectrolite. Labradorite is rarely seen in mass-merchant jewelry. Instead it is most often used by designers and jewelers who do unique and custom work. Many specimens of labradorite do not exhibit labradorescence. These materials can still produce beautiful gemstones because of their desirable color or other optical effects such as aventurescence.
A beautiful orange piece of labradorite cut as a faceted stone is shown on this page. Some specimens of sunstone are labradorite. Sunstone is a plagioclase gemstone in which tiny platelets of copper or another mineral are arranged in a common orientation.
These platelets produce a reflective flash when incident light enters the stone at a proper angle relative to the angle of observation.
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