Labradorite
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)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Triclinic prismatic crystals; two perfect cleavages at right angles
| Mohs Hardness | 6.0-6.5 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.71-2.74 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.53-1.59 |
Comparisons
Properties of Common Gemstones
Additional Images
Labradorite stone
Labradorite
Resources and Citations
- Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
- 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)