![]() Among plagioclase feldspars, labradorite is the only mineral to show intense schiller. The feldspar mineral family is complex, but the two most common categories are plagioclase and alkali feldspars. The stone is composed of anorthite and albite feldspar, but its composition is 50-70 percent anorthite and only 30-50 percent albite. Its sodium content varies from 30-50 percent and its calcium content varies from 50-70 percent. Labradorite is an anorthite plagioclase feldspar mineral composed of sodium, calcium, aluminum, and silicon. The labradorite planet is Uranus or Pluto, though some astrologers recommend wearing labradorite during significant Venus phases. What birthstone is labradorite? Labradorite is an alternative November birthstone and a phenomenal birthstone for those born on a Saturday.Īstrologically, labradorite zodiac stones grace the sign of Cancer, and the labradorite variety spectrolite is lucky for Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Leo. However, labradorite can be a lucky talisman! The only gemstones considered “precious gemstones” are diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Today, we’ll cover those varieties, along with labradorite properties, healing uses, symbolism, and all your other questions about labradorite gemstones!įirst, is labradorite a precious gemstone? No, labradorite is a semi-precious gemstone. After orthoclase, labradorite is the feldspar gem you’ll most often see faceted.īesides Oregon sunstone, labradorite has a few other subtypes. Many sunstones actually classify as labradorite! One such example is Oregon sunstone, which shows a metallic glittering effect called aventurescence. You may recognize “feldspar” from other gems in this family like amazonite, orthoclase, sunstone, and moonstone. In fact, labradorite is the official mineral of Labrador and its province, Newfoundland. Rather, it’s named after Labrador, Canada. Sorry dog lovers, but labradorite is not named after the dog breed. This feature is sometimes called “ schiller.” Base colors include blue-gray, tan, and a pink color apparently induced by additional fine hematite inclusions.Labradorite is a feldspar gemstone known for displaying a stunning internal iridescence called “labradorescence,” a type of adularescence. As such, material suitable for cutting is rare and finished stones tend to be small (though some large multicrystalline specimens up to 30 cm in diameter have been recovered). ![]() The crystals are brittle, apparently as a result of metamorphic stresses, and tend to cleave during cutting. Local prospector Ryan Underwood first found samples of this material as loose crystal fragments and traced them back to their source rock, a metamorphic biotite gneiss. Chemical analysis of the feldspar was performed using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and the results were consistent with potassium feldspar. ![]() This deposit was first reported by George Frederick Kunz ( Gems and Precious Stones of North America, The Scientific Publishing Co., New York, 1890, p. ![]() This new material is reported to be from the Statesville area of North Carolina and contains brown and black exsolution platelets of hematite and ilmenite showing thin-film interference colors along the interface with the host feldspar. The authors recently examined samples of potassium feldspar from a relatively obscure source (see above) that displayed a phenomenon remarkably similar to Australian rainbow lattice sunstone. Because of its array of colors and the crosshatch pattern of exsolution platelets, the material’s trade name is “rainbow lattice sunstone.” This unique material showcases exsolution platelets of hematite and ilmenite that display thin-film interference colors along the interface between the exsolution product and the feldspar host. Of these, one of the most remarkable is orthoclase from the Hart’s Range area in Australia. Several varieties of aventurescent feldspar are well known in the gem trade. Photomicrographs by Nathan Renfro fields of view 3.55 mm. Comprehensive CAD/CAM For Jewellery CertificateĪpplied Jewelry Professional ™ Online Diplomaīrown and black exsolution platelets of hematite and ilmenite in feldspar (left) show colorful thin-film interference colors in oblique fiber-optic illumination (right).
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