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 LabradoriteLABRADORITE - This is a sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar, which displays a particular type of iridescence on a dark ground. The name labradorite is derived from its main source: Labrador, in Canada. The effect is probably due to the presence of very fine platelets of different compositions and minute inclusions of ilmenite, rutile and, perhaps, magnetite, which cause diffraction.The ground color is a dark smoke gray, but when light strikes it in a particular direction, it displays striking rainbow-colored reflections known as labradorescence. It is cut into gems, or small not too convex, polished plaques for setting. It is also used as an ornamental material for carving and engraving. The background color is uninteresting and it is the strength of the labradorescence that gives the stone its value. The particularly brightly colored variety found in Finland is sometimes known as spectrolite. It is highly distinctive at first sight; but there is an ornamental material, used in slabs and consisting of a rock containing large pieces of potassic feldspar, which looks similar to labradorite. This material, which to called larvikite after the place where it is found in Norway, is used for building purposes only. If necessary, the two could be distinguished by their densities. The labradorite used in gems comes mainly from Canada and Finland. It does not appear to have been imitated or produced synthetically. This pendant is already spoken for, however, I have many other Labradorites for sale. In Stock: 0 |
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