Have you ever come across a stone that seems to hold a piece of the northern lights within it? Meet my favourite gemstone - labradorite - a gemstone that captivates with its mesmerising play of colours known as labradorescence.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll dive into the various types of labradorite - from the enchanting rainbow variety to the rare pink and purple hues. I’ll also provide tips on how to identify genuine labradorite, explain how to tell if it's real, and explore how to tell it apart from its closely related cousin - moonstone. So, let's get started.
What Is Labradorite?
Labradorite is a member of the feldspar family, which is one of the most abundant groups of minerals in the Earth's crust. Specifically, it's a type of plagioclase feldspar, known for its striking optical effect called labradorescence. This phenomenon manifests as a shimmering display of colours - blues and greens are more common, but sometimes a full spectrum of colours appear in one stone.
The Origin of Labradorite’s Name
The gemstone gets its name from the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, where it was first discovered in the 18th century. Since then, labradorite has been found in various parts of the world, including Finland, Madagascar, Russia, and the United States.
The Science Behind the Shine - Understanding Labradorescence
Before we dive into the different types and colours of labradorite, let’s spend a little bit of time to understand what gives this stone its colourful effect.
What Is Labradorescence?
Labradorescence, which is a type of schiller, is an optical phenomenon resulting from the interaction of light with the gemstone's internal structure. When light enters the stone, it hits layers of different minerals laid down in parallel patterns within the crystal structure. In labradorite, these layers are composed of sodium-rich and calcium-rich feldspar. These layers bounce the light back and forth, creating interference and diffraction that produce the stone's characteristic shimmering effect.
Different Colours & Types of Labradorite
One of the most exciting aspects of labradorite is its variety of colours and types. Let's explore some of the most popular and intriguing ones.
Blue to Green Iridescence
The most common and popular colours are blues, yellows and greens. Stones displaying intense blue flashes are highly sought after.
Rainbow Colour Spectrum
Specimens showing the full spectrum of colours - reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and violets - are considered exceptional and are often referred to as rainbow labradorite or spectrolite.
Rare Colours: Pink and Purple
Pink and purple labradorite are rare and highly valued. Their unique coloration makes them favourites among collectors and gemstone enthusiasts.
How to Identify Labradorite
If you're fascinated by labradorite and want to add it to your collection, knowing how to identify genuine labradorite is important.
Physical Characteristics
- Color: Typically grey to dark grey with iridescent flashes of color.
- Hardness: Ranges from 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively durable but susceptible to scratches.
- Lustre: Vitreous (glass-like) when polished.
- Transparency: Translucent to opaque; rare specimens are transparent.
Labradorescence
Look for the characteristic schiller effect, another term for labradorescence. Tilt the stone under a light source and observe if it displays a play of colors from within. This effect should appear to move and change as you adjust the angle.
How to Tell If Labradorite Is Real
Labradorite stands out in the gemstone world thanks to its unique and captivating appearance. Its unique appearance makes it relatively easy to spot genuine labradorite compared to fakes.
One of the telltale signs is natural inclusions and minor imperfections. As you can see from photos in this article, real labradorite typically contains inclusions and imperfections. Fakes are often too flawless or have artificial patterns that don't mimic the natural appearance.
Care Tips for Your Labradorite
Handling
- Durability: With a hardness of 6 to 6.5, labradorite is relatively durable but can be scratched by harder materials.
- Cleavage: The stone has perfect cleavage, meaning it can split along certain planes. Handle with care to avoid chipping and knocking into hard objects.
Cleaning
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Use mild soap and warm water.
- No Ultrasonic Cleaners: These may cause internal cracks.
Storage
- Separate Storage: Store labradorite pieces separately to prevent scratching other jewelry or being scratched.
