Labradorite Jewelry

FAQs about Labradorite Jewelry

What is Labradorite?

Labradorite is a precious gemstone part of the plagioclase feldspar group commonly found in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. It is a native rock of Labrador, Canada. However, it isn't related to the dog breed Labrador.

Nowadays, most Labradorite pieces are mined in Madagascar, but they can also be found in Finland, Russia, Norway, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

What are the categories of Labradorite Jewelry?

Labradorite can also fall into one of three categories depending on their properties. 

• Spectrolite is a type of labradorite that displays a rainbow color. It is pretty rare, and you can only find it in Finland.
• Rainbow Moonstone can be found in Madagascar, which is why they're also called the Madagascar Moonstone, and it has a solid blue shine that's commonly referred to as schiller.
• Andesine is a chemically treated Labradorite. This type is altered with a chemical that's meant to enhance its natural colors.

What is Labradorescence?

Labradorescence is used to describe the particular shine and iridescence we find in labradorite gems.

Furthermore, Labradorite itself is pretty dark, but this radiance turns it into the dynamic and beautiful stone we find in nature. These colors are caused by its formation structure, as it is formed by several rock layers that catch light from several angles, making the livid colors shine through. Some of the Labradorite's most common colors are blue, orange, brown, and rainbow.

This is Labradorite's most appealing factor, but not all of them have labradorescense, so they look dull and can be confused with other minerals. Still, they can also display aventurescense, which is a blue or white shine that radiates from the stone.

What color is Labradorite Jewelry?

Most labradorites are gray, dark brown, or black, and the lights reflected by them make them look green, blue, and purple. However, other types of Labradorite can display the Schiller effect in tones of blue, green, orange, red, and yellow.

You need to know that the colors displayed by Labradorite aren't naturally present in the stone, unlike other gemstones. These colors are created by the way the light bounces on the cracks of the mineral.

What is the clarity of Labradorite?

In most cases, when we find impurities in gemstones, they also reduce their price, but this isn't the case for Labradorite, as its fantastic colors are achieved thanks to all the tiny defects on the stone's surface. The light is meant to hit these cracks for color to shine through the stone.

These stones are usually opaque, but you can also find several transparent and translucent varieties that display a wider variety of colors. Therefore, they are the most popular Labradorite types.

What is the best cut of Labradorite Jewelry?

In order to get the best handmade jewelry possible, you need to find the best cut that maximizes its iridescence. This cut must be carefully planned out to not ruin any of the rock's layers and make sure all colors are correctly displayed.

Labradorites tend to be cut into beaded cabochons and smooth domes to enhance their iridescence. You can also find them in round shapes, such as pearls and ovals, as they don't look too good in angular cuts.