Labradorite Polished Stone
A beautifully iridescent polished labradorite stone.
Labradorite is a feldspar mineral that can exhibit exceptional iridescence. It's named after the Labrador coast in Canada where it was first discovered.
The colours that can be seen shift and change with the angle of light. They're not in the stone but are the reflection of light.
Although this optical phenomenon is correctly known as schiller from the old German word for "twinkle" or "iridescence", when present in labradorite it's often called labradorescence.
Labradorite is composed of a series of interlocking flat crystals that create thin layers within the stone. The layers act as mirrors reflecting and refracting light.
As the angle of light changes different wavelengths of light are scattered by the crystals.
When light waves of different wavelengths meet and interfere with each other they create bright intense colours. When they interfere destructively they cancel each other out. That causes dark or neutral colours.
The colours that can be seen in labradorite depend on the thickness of the crystal layers and angle of light.
This striking labradorite stone is incredibly tactile and reflects light beautifully.
