Necklace With Raw Labradorite

Physical Properties

• Chemical Formula: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈ (a feldspar mineral, part of the plagioclase series)
• Color: Typically gray to gray-black, but exhibits a remarkable play of color (labradorescence) in blues, greens, yellows, and reds
• Crystal System: Triclinic
• Hardness: 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale
• Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.72
• Transparency: Translucent to opaque
• Luster: Vitreous to pearly
• Streak: White

Optical Properties

• Refractive Index: 1.559 - 1.573
• Birefringence: 0.008 - 0.010
• Pleochroism: Weak, showing different colors depending on the viewing angle
• Labradorescence: Strong, iridescent flashes of color (blues, greens, yellows, and occasionally reds)

Healing and Metaphysical Properties

• Energy: Labradorite is considered a stone of transformation and magic, believed to enhance intuition and psychic abilities.
• Chakras: Primarily associated with the Throat Chakra and Third Eye Chakra
• Emotional Healing: Thought to calm an overactive mind and energize the imagination. It is also believed to reduce anxiety and stress.
• Physical Healing: Used in crystal healing practices to support the respiratory system, aid in digestion, and enhance metabolism. It is also thought to help with vision and brain disorders.

Uses

• Jewelry: Popular in rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets due to its unique labradorescence. Often cut as cabochons or beads.
• Decorative: Widely used in carvings, decorative objects, and inlay work.
• Industrial: Occasionally used as an aggregate in construction and as a dimension stone.

Care

• Cleaning: Should be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, which can fade the color.
• Durability: Labradorite is relatively soft and can be scratched easily. It should be stored separately from harder gemstones to prevent damage.

Sources

• Major Sources: Labradorite is primarily found in Canada (Labrador and Newfoundland), with significant deposits also in Finland, Madagascar, Russia, and the United States.

Identification Tips

• Color and Labradorescence: Labradorite's distinctive play of color (labradorescence) can aid in its identification. However, it can be confused with other feldspar minerals such as moonstone or spectrolite.
• Testing: Gemological testing can help distinguish labradorite from similar-looking minerals through its specific gravity, refractive index, and unique labradorescence.

Labradorite's mesmerizing play of color, metaphysical properties, and versatility make it a favored gemstone among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Its widespread availability and range of applications highlight its significance in both ornamental and metaphysical fields

Length: 44cm+5cm

Crystal: 1.5cm-3cm