Facts

• Labradorite is part of the feldspar family of minerals. Other feldspar stones include sunstone and moonstone. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, "The minerals in the feldspar family make up more than half of the Earth's rocky crust." Spectrolite is the most sought after type of labradorite and comes from Finland. Labradorite is considered a minor gemstone since it is readily available and hard to use.
  
  

History

• Historically, labradorite has been considered a good luck charm and was often used as the "L" in mottos such as "good luck" in 18th century jewelry pieces in France and England. Labradorite was often worn as necklaces, brooches, anklets and bracelets. When worn as a necklace, it was said that labradorite would grant the wearer good health and luck in love.
  
  

Myth

• Labradorite has been claimed to be a stone of Atlantis. In people who have a genetic or past life root in Atlantis, labradorite is supposed to awaken the senses of clairvoyance, insight, creativity and knowledge. Labradorite, along with diamond, is also known as a winter gem. It is claimed to have been picked by the winter gods for its brilliant inclusion of all the colors and tints of the universe. Diamond and labradorite are the only stones said to include this full range of color.
  
  

Function

• Labradorite is often cut into cabochons, carvings and beads for use in jewelry pieces and artwork. This stone is also commonly used as flat pieces for engraving and decorative boxes. Labradorite is known to have various metaphysical properties that help maintain the health of the body and the aura, and has been used as an aid in reducing anxiety and stress and to help stimulate mental clarity. Helpful in calming the nerves, labradorite has been said to aid in getting a good night's rest. It is additionally used in magic, ritual and spiritual ceremonies.
  
  

Geography

• Labradorite is most commonly found in the Labrador region of Canada. It is also found in the United States in the Cascade Mountain region of the Pacific Northwest. Other places where it is found are Madagascar, Finland, India, Australia, Mexico, Newfoundland, and Russia. Finland and Madagascar have the most stunning pieces of labradorite, while Canada is the biggest supplier of this stone.
  
  

Identification

• Labradorite exhibits red, orange, blue, green, violet and yellow when the stone is turned in light. The iridescence comes from light diffracting off closely spaced calcium and sodium layers of the crystal and is commonly referred to as "labradorescence" or "schiller." Labradorite has a very metallic look with a dark to light smoky gray background. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 6 to 6.5.