Ten Fun Facts about Labradorite
Labradorite is a gorgeous gemstone known for its play of colors. I’m kinda surprised it wasn’t assigned a month so it could be a birthstone. No worries, it’s for every month! Here are ten fun facts about labradorite:
- Discovery and Name Origin: Labradorite was first discovered in 1770 on the Isle of Paul, near Nain, in Labrador, Canada. The stone is named after this region, reflecting its geographical origins.
- Labradorescence: One of the first things people notice about this mineral is its labradorescence, an optical phenomenon that causes the stone to display a spectrum of vibrant colors, usually blue, green, gold, and orange. This effect is due to the diffraction of light within the layers of the mineral (see 4 below for more on this).
- Feldspar Family: Labradorite belongs to the feldspar mineral family, which makes up about 60% of the Earth's crust.
- Molecular Structure: The labradorescence in labradorite is caused by its unique molecular structure. Tiny, tightly packed layers of feldspar within the stone scatter light, creating the colorful shimmer that labradorite is known for.
- Geological Occurrence: Besides Canada, labradorite can be found in several locations worldwide, including Finland, Madagascar, Norway, Russia, and the United States (particularly in Oregon).
- Spectrolite: A particularly vibrant variety of labradorite, known as spectrolite, is found in Finland. Spectrolite exhibits an especially intense and full-spectrum display of colors, making it highly prized among collectors and gem enthusiasts.
- Historical Use: Labradorite has been valued for centuries, particularly by indigenous peoples of the Labrador region. Inuit legends speak of labradorite as the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) trapped within the rocks.
- Mohs Hardness: Labradorite has a Mohs hardness rating of 6 to 6.5, making it relatively durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, though it requires some care to avoid scratches and chips.
- Chemical Composition: The chemical composition of labradorite is (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)4O8. The varying amounts of calcium and sodium in its structure contribute to the range of colors seen in different specimens.
- Geological Formation: Labradorite forms in mafic igneous rocks, such as basalt, gabbro, and norite, as well as in some metamorphic rocks. It typically crystallizes deep within the Earth's crust during the slow cooling of magma.
