labradorite
Shimmering igneous feldspar
Labradorite is a mineral prized for its iridescent play of colors—blues, greens, golds, and occasionally oranges that seem to shift and glow from within the stone's gray surface.
This optical effect, called labradorescence, makes it popular in jewelry and decorative objects.
Named for the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, where it was first formally described.
Color shift from interference
- schillerInternal mineral reflectance
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
- flashBrief burst of light
- sheenSoft surface luster
play-of-color · spectral · blue · gold · green · copper · purple · peacock
Oxygen-bound crystal compound
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- aluminumElement thirteen
- twinningForming identical pairs
lamellar · cleavage · hardness · inclusions · striations · translucent · opaque · gray
Domed, unfaceted gemstone
- pendantSuspended jewelry ornament
- necklaceNeck-worn ornament
- braceletOrnamental wrist band
- jewelryOrnamental personal accessories
beadwork · ornament · adornment · accessory · artisan · polished · tumbled · specimen
Silicate mineral group
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- gabbroDark intrusive igneous rock
- magmaMolten rock underground
intrusive · volcanic · crystallization · outcrop · tectonics · petrology · stratigraphy · formation
Iridescent feldspar gemstone
- sunstoneReflective inclusion-bearing feldspar
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- whiteAbsence of pigment
pink · Oregon · Finnish · high-grade · gem-quality
iridescence
Color shift from interference
sheen · play-of-color · spectral · blue · gold · green · copper · purple · peacock · reflection
silicate
Oxygen-bound crystal compound
twinning · lamellar · cleavage · hardness · inclusions · striations · translucent · opaque · gray · dark
cabochon
Domed, unfaceted gemstone
jewelry · beadwork · ornament · adornment · accessory · artisan · polished · tumbled · specimen · collector
feldspar
Silicate mineral group
magma · intrusive · volcanic · crystallization · outcrop · tectonics · petrology · stratigraphy · formation · deposit
moonstone
Iridescent feldspar gemstone
- sunstoneReflective inclusion-bearing feldspar
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
white · pink · Oregon · Finnish · high-grade · gem-quality
- crystalsquartz, amethyst, diamond, citrine, rose quartz
- gemstonesdiamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, pearl
- gemologydiamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, opal
- healing crystalsamethyst, rose quartz, citrine, crystal healing, healing stones
- iridescent gemsopal, moonstone, ammolite, fire opal, black opal
- feldsparsfeldspar, amazonite, moonstone, sunstone
labradoritediamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
ruby · sapphire · emerald · precious stone · alexandrite