Labradorite Jewelry
A grey feldspar that flashes blue, green and gold as it moves. Named after Labrador, Canada
Unearthed Gemstones Labradorite Jewelry
Click the photos for a closer look of the jewelry pieces
Hardness
6 - 6.5 (Medium): Wear with care; This gemstone can dull over time.
Toughness
Fair (Needs care — Vulnerable to knocks and sharp blows)
Mineral Family
Feldspar
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Crystal System
Triclinic
Lustre
Vitreous
What Is Labradorite?
Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar named after Labrador in Canada, where it was described in 1770. From one angle it looks like plain grey stone. Tilt it, and it erupts in flashes of blue, green, gold and sometimes purple. That effect, labradorescence, happens when light bounces between microscopically thin layers inside the stone. Inuit legend says the northern lights were once trapped in the rocks of Labrador. Fine material also comes from Madagascar and Finland, where the most colourful stone is called spectrolite.
Is Labradorite Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
Labradorite sits at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and, as a feldspar, it has cleavage, so it prefers a slightly careful life. It is nearly always cut as cabochons or flat slices oriented so the flash faces up, and a well-cut stone makes all the difference. Pendants, earrings and bezel-set rings suit it well. Every stone flashes differently, which is half the fun of choosing one.
How to Care for Labradorite Jewelry
Avoid hard knocks and ultrasonic cleaners, and wash it with warm, soapy water.
Gemstones Similar to Labradorite
All feldspar family. Rainbow moonstone is actually a pale white labradorite with blue flash.
