LABRADORITE(MINERAL)

LISTING DESCRIPTION

Labradorite is a feldspar mineral of the plagioclase series that is most often found in mafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbroand norite. It is also found in anorthosite, an igneous rock in which labradorite can be the most abundant mineral. 

DETAILED DESACRIPTION

Some specimens of labradorite exhibit a schiller effect, which is a strong play of iridescent blue, green, red, orange, and yellow colors as shown in the photographs above and at right. Labradorite is so well known for these spectacular displays of color that the phenomenon is known as “labradorescence.” Specimens with the highest quality labradorescence are often selected for use as gemstones. 

What Causes Labradorescence?

 

Labradorescence is not a display of colors reflected from the surface of a specimen. Instead, light enters the stone, strikes a twinning surface within the stone, and reflects from it. The color seen by the observer is the color of light reflected from that twinning surface. 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. 

Properties of Labradorite

Labradorite is a mineral in the plagioclase series, and it shares many of the properties of plagioclase minerals. It has a Mohs hardness of about 6 to 6 1/2 and two distinct directions of cleavage that intersect at an angle of about 86 degrees or 94 degrees. 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. 

Physical Properties of Labradorite
Color	usually clear, white or gray in reflected light labradorescent colors can include: blue, green, yellow, orange and red
Streak	white
Luster	vitreous, pearly on cleavage faces
Diaphaneity	transparent to translucent
Cleavage	two directions of perfect cleavage intersecting at about 86 degrees
Mohs Hardness	6 to 6 1/2
Specific Gravity	2.68 to 2.72
Distinguishing Characteristics	hardness, cleavage (twinning and labradorescence - only shown by some specimens)
Chemical Composition	(Na,Ca)(Al,Si)4O8 with Na (30-50%) and Ca (70-50%)
Crystal System	Triclinic

Labradorite as a Gemstone

 

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 in the right column of 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. 

Some cautions are required when using labradorite as a gemstone. It breaks in two directions with perfect cleavage. This makes it subject to breaking with impact and not a good candidate for jewelry or other objects that could be subject to impact. It also has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. It will therefore scratch much more easily than diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and slightly more easily than jasper and agate. 

Cutting Labradorite

Labradorescent material is most often cut into cabochons. The labradorescence phenomenon is best exhibited when the base of the cabochon is parallel to the layers in the material that produce the labradorescent flash. Careful study of the material is required so that the finished stone will be oriented to produce a full "face up color." If the stone is cut at any other angle, the layers that produce the labradorescence will be inclined when the stone is viewed from directly above. This will yield a labradorsecent flash that will appear to be off-center. 

Geologic Occurrence of Labradorite

 

Labradorite is found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentaryrocks. It most often occurs as a primary mineral in mafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro and norite. It is also found in anorthosite, an igneous rock in which labradorite can be the most abundant mineral. Labradorite occurs in gneiss that has been produced through the metamorphism of labradorite-bearing igneous rocks. It is also found in sediments and sedimentary rocks that are derived from the weathering of other rocks that contain labradorite. 

Notable Labradorite Localities

 

Labradorite is named after its location of discovery on the Isle of Paul, near Nain, Labrador, Canada. It was discovered there in 1770 by a Moravian missionary. 

Labradorite with superb labradorescence is produced from a few deposits in Finland. The best of this material was given the name "spectrolite" by the director of the Geological Survey of Finland. Today, specimens of labradorite with exceptional labradorescence from other locations are frequently called "spectrolite." 

A significant amount of gray to black labradorite with good labradorescence is produced from locations in Madagascar and Russia. Small amounts of transparent labradorite with internal color flash are produced in India. 

Several mines in Oregon produce transparent orange, yellow, red, blue, green, and clear labradorite without labradorescence. These can be cut into very nice faceted stones. Some of this material has platy inclusions of copper in a common alignment that can produce an aventurescent flash when played in the light. These materials are marketed under the name "Oregon Sunstone" and have attracted a strong following from local designers and the tourist trade. 

A "Gemmy" Architectural Stone

 
Some deposits of anorthosite are quarried and cut into slabs that are used to manufacture small sculptures, countertops, window sills, tiles, facing stone and other architectural products. A photograph of a polished surface of an architectural stone known as "blue labradorite granite" is shown in the right column of this page. 

PRICE

$37.4/KG OR $17/IB

For more information:

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