Labradorite is part of the Feldspar group of minerals and it name comes from the Labrador region of Canada where it was originally discovered around 1770. Many people find it difficult to get their tongue around the name which is understandable, but the easiest pronunciation is in two syllables putting the emphasise on the letters in bold, 'labrad' 'orite', Labradorite.
In 1940 during World War II, Labradorite was accidentally discovered in Finland whilst a defence line was being built in Ylamaa in South East Finland. This makes material from Finland a more recent discovery than the Labradorite from Canada and Madagascar. As countries are allowed to name their own gemstones, professor Aarne Laitakari, then director of the Geological Survey of Finland, chose the name Spectrolite which apparently stemmed from its wide spectrum of colour. Spectrolite is Finland's national gemstone.
Well known for being highly iridescent, Labradorite displays a magnificent spectrum of colour that changes depending on the angle at which you look at it and the colour which can be seen in the finest grade material can be quite breathtaking. This optical effect is known as schiller or labradorescence and although green or blue are the most common colours which are seen, occasionally red, yellow or grey can also be found. The finest grades of Labradorite has a much more distinctive and striking colour.
The main source for mining Labradorite is on the North Central coast of Labrador in Canada where large blocks are available but it can also found in India, USA, Finland and Ukraine. The dark grey variety comes mainly from Madagascar.
With regards to crystal healing, Labradorite provides clarity to the inner self, enhances patience and offers a quick relief from feelings of anxiety and hopelessness replacing them with enthusiasm and inspiration. It dispels negativity and improves one's ability to co-operate with others and is also believed to give perseverance and strength. Other benefits of Labradorite include helping to treat eye and brain disorders and to help regulate metabolism and the digestive process. It can also help to purge negative thought patterns, to give great insight and vision and allow one to communicate these gifts in a beneficial way for the self and others. It brings out ones finest qualities allowing you to be all that you can and is a powerful self esteem building gemstone.
Labradorite is graded 6 to 6.5 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness meaning that it is quite hard hence is a good choice for use in jewellery.
Further reading:
Labradorite
Labradorite
Labradorite
Our collection of Labradorite jewellery
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