History & Structure of Labradorite
History of Ladradorite
Labradorite was first found in 1770 on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, an area from which it received its name, but also in Finland, Madagascar, Australia, Mexico, Norway, Russia and the USA.
When it was first discovered by missionaries, it was taken back to Europe, where it was valued for its beauty. It is found in a rock called Anorthosite, which is an igneous rock that is has a high composition of feldspars.
Structure of Ladradorite
Labradorite is a type of feldspar. There are two main subgroups of feldspars that produce gems; the potassium feldspars and the plagioclase feldspars, with Labradorite falling into the latter category.
Labradorite is one of the most beautiful minerals. If not viewed from the best angle, its hidden beauty can be missed. It is usually dark grey, but in the right angle of light, it displays a variety of bright colours, including shades of green, blue, gol, red and yellow. This schiller effect is not the result of any surface colour. Light internally reflects across cleavage sections, creating what is known as labradorescence, and the colours vary depending on the angle of light. In the most rare examples, all the typical colours can be seen simultaneously.