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Labradorite

Introduction
 

	Available in brilliant pastels and deep gold colors, Labradorite is a stunning gemstone perfect for wardrobes of all seasons.
Legends & Lore
	Labradorite is named after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada where it was first discovered.
	Calling it “Firestone” because of its captivating play of color, the Native Indians of Labrador attributed mystical qualities to Labradorite, using the powdered gem as a magical potion to cure their ailments.

Interestingly, some modern mystics believe that Labradorite is a gem that assists the practice of magic, unleashes the power of the imagination and helps to overcome personal limitations.
 

Labradorite is a variety of Feldspar.
 

Transparent Labradorite should be fine, clear and relatively free from inclusions, displaying shades that vary from an almost lime-yellow color to bright canary yellows and golden tones.
 

While it appears in orange, yellow, colorless and red, the deep smoke gray varieties that shows a play of color or “Schiller” is the variety most frequently used in Jewelry and ornamental objects.
 

Valued for its lustrous metallic reflections that are said to resemble a Brazilian butterfly’s wing, this play of color or “Schiller” is aptly called “Labradorescence” in gemological circles, and appears as stunning rainbow colored reflections when light strikes the gem in a particular direction. In fact, Indian gemstone dealers often refer to this gemstone as “Black Rainbow”.
 

Mainly caused by the interference of light from lattice distortions, this effect often appears in violet, blue, green, yellow, gold and even orange-reddish tints, although specimens displaying the complete color spectrum are those most highly valued, such as the particularly brightly colored variety found in Finland, which is also known as Spectrolite.
 

As the background color is arguably uninteresting, when selecting deep smoke gray Labradorite observe the strength and intensity of the “Labradorescence” when the gemstone is viewed from different angles. This may result in different colors being visible or even a range of colors all visible at the same time.
 

Ideal for those who like large brightly colored faceted gems with an unusual play of color, Labradorite is a relatively obscure semi-precious gemstone with prices varying widely according to availability and quality.
 

A Sodium rich Plagioclase Feldspar, Labradorite occurs in Canada, Australia, Madagascar, Russia, Mexico, India, China, the Scandinavian Peninsula and U.S.A.