Labradorite

Brooch
MFA Acc. #: 2006.400

Description

A hard, dense grayish-brown Plagioclase feldspar quarried on Saint Paul Island, Labrador, Canada (Lent 1925). Labradorite also comes in a pale turquoise, bright orange, soft pink and strong blue colors that, when iridescent, are called sunstones. Labradorite has been used for interior decoration and gemstones.

Synonyms and Related Terms

labradorite (Port.); spectrolite (variety found in Finland)

Raman

Physical and Chemical Properties

Triclinic prismatic crystals; two perfect cleavages at right angles

Mohs Hardness	6.0-6.5
Density	2.71-2.74
Refractive Index	1.53-1.59

Comparisons

Properties of Common Gemstones

Additional Images

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  Labradorite stone

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  Labradorite

Resources and Citations

• Frank A. Lent, Trade names and Descriptions of Marbles, Limestones, Sandstones, Granites and Other Building Stones Quarried in the United States Canada and other Countries., Stone Publishing Co, New York, 1925

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labradorite (Accessed Sept. 7, 2005)