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.

optical

iridescence

Color shift from interference

sheen · play-of-color · spectral · blue · gold · green · copper · purple · peacock · reflection

mineral

silicate

Oxygen-bound crystal compound

twinning · lamellar · cleavage · hardness · inclusions · striations · translucent · opaque · gray · dark

gemstone

cabochon

Domed, unfaceted gemstone

jewelry · beadwork · ornament · adornment · accessory · artisan · polished · tumbled · specimen · collector

geology

feldspar

Silicate mineral group

  • igneousFormed from cooled magma
  • basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
  • gabbroDark intrusive igneous rock

magma · intrusive · volcanic · crystallization · outcrop · tectonics · petrology · stratigraphy · formation · deposit

varieties

moonstone

Iridescent feldspar gemstone

white · pink · Oregon · Finnish · high-grade · gem-quality

Categories
Opposites
gemstone preciousness

labradoritediamond

Crystallized carbon gemstone

ruby · sapphire · emerald · precious stone · alexandrite

optical properties

labradoriteobsidian

Glassy igneous rock

jet · rock crystal · agate · jasper · flint

mineral family

labradoritequartz

Crystalline silicon dioxide

calcite · corundum · beryl · olivine · garnet

Family

Labrador

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G