Labradorite For Sale

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Labradorite is a unique feldspar mineral that exhibits what is called a "schiller effect" causing a strong play of iridescent blue, green, red, orange, and yellow colors. Labradorite is so well known for these spectacular color displays that the phenomenon is known as labradorescence. Polishing labradorite makes this labradorescence much more prominent.

139 Items ($3 to $185)

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #268094

7.95" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$185 $155

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #268102

6.85" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$149 $130

Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain #302781

2.05" Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain

$135 $120

Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #243990

2.1" Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - 925 Sterling Silver

$99 $88

Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #243994

1.7" Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - 925 Sterling Silver

$99 $75

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #268097

6.9" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$95 $80

Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #243992

1.8" Faceted, Labradorite Pendant (Necklace) - 925 Sterling Silver

$95 $84

Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain #278277

1.25" Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain

$79 $70

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #234375

6.7" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$79 $71

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Sphere - Great Color Play #266230

3.2" Flashy, Polished Labradorite Sphere - Great Color Play

$75 $66

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #291831

7.15" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$75 $65

Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain #302770

1.45" Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain

$69 $61

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #291836

7.25" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$59 $52

Realistic, Polished Labradorite Bear with Fish #308433

Realistic, 2.7" Polished Labradorite Bear with Fish

$55 $48

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #291834

6.05" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$55 $48

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #234391

6.5" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$49 $43

Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain #265091

1.3" Brilliant Blue Labradorite Pendant with Chain

$45 $40

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #237862

4.1" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$35 $31

3" Polished Labradorite Bowls

$29.00 (Bulk Discounts)

Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #274665

4.3" Flashy, Free-Standing Polished Labradorite - Madagascar

$27 $24

Flashy Labradorite Stone Bracelet - Elastic Band

$22.00 (Bulk Discounts)

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar #261554

3.05" Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar

$17 $15

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar #261552

2.7" Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar

$15 $13

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar #261551

2.8" Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar

$15 $13

Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar #295480

4.35" Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar

$15 $13

Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar #295473

5.2" Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar

$15 $13

Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar #295467

3.6" Single Side Polished Labradorite Section - Madagascar

$15 $13

Single Side Polished Labradorite Slab - Madagascar #278219

2.55" Single Side Polished Labradorite Slab - Madagascar

$12 $10

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar #261553

3.1" Flashy, Polished Labradorite Palm Stone - Madagascar

$12 $10

+ Single Side Polished Labradorite Pieces #230355

3"+ Single Side Polished Labradorite Pieces

$10.00 (Bulk Discounts)

What Causes Labradorescence?

Labradorescence is the term for the labradorite's colorful flash. This color display is a result of parallel crystal formations known as lamellar inter-growths, which makeup much of the rock. These layered inter-growths result from an incompatible crystal alignment during the cooling of mafic igneous rock, causing a natural separation and layering effect. When light rays enter these layers, they can refract back and forth in deeper layers, causing a mixing of rays and an alteration of the wavelength that originally entered the stone. The orientation and thickness of these layers are partially responsible for the colors seen.

What Colors Can Labradorite Display?

The colors that labradorite displays are caused by light diffraction through the layers of crystal/rock. Its common colors are light green, orange-red, light blue, and gray, while some of the more prized colors include a deep “royal blue” and purple. The “spectrolite variety” of labradorite from Finland often displays vibrant dark reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and blues.

These colors can be seen when viewing a rough specimen of labradorite, but they’re seemingly amplified after polishing the stone.

Is Labradorite A Natural Mineral?

Some people are thrown off by some of labradorite's unique properties, but yes, it is a natural mineral!

Where Is Labradorite Found?

Labradorite was first discovered along the coasts of Labrador, Canada around 1770, hence its name. It was known to the local Inuit tribes for some time before that. Their ancient legends say that the Northern Lights became trapped inside the rocks along the Labrador coast. These rocks were found by an Inuit warrior who freed them them with a spear. Not all of the lights could escape and some of them remained imprisoned, creating labradorite.

Today, Madagascar is currently the world's largest producer of labradorite, where it is mined in large quantities at several localities on the south side of the island. Lots of photos of one of the main labradorite quarries can be found here.

Labradorite most often occurs in mafic igneous rock formations. Canada, United States, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Germany, and Finland all have notable labradorite deposits. Finland in particular is known for a gem quality type of labradorite referred to as spectrolite.

What Is Labradorite Composed Of?

Labradorite is a mixture of albite and anorthite, often containing a small amount of orthoclase. Chemical analysis shows that labradorite almost always has a higher anorthite content percentage (45-60%) than the other minerals that make up its overall composition. The twinning of anorithe and albite results in parallel lamellae crystal formations that vary in thickness. These parallel crystal structures, when hit with with light rays, are responsible for the color play known as “labradorescence”.

Varieties Of Labradorite

Spectrolite - A named variety of labradorite that displays a richer range of colors than the typical labradorite. It was originally a name given to labradorite from Finland that refracted a wide spectrum of color, but the name has shifted to describe labradorite specimens that display this vibrant range of color anywhere in the world.

Rainbow Moonstone - There is still debate as to whether rainbow moonstone and labradorite can be considered the same mineral, for they are both members of the feldspar group and both display this colorful flash. The term for this flash/chatoyance in moonstone is “adularescence”.

Are Labradorite And Spectrolite The Same Mineral?

Spectrolite is the name for a variety of labradorite that exhibits a wider variety of iridescent colors. Only a very tiny percentage of labradorite is high enough quality to be considered spectrolite and the pieces tend to be fairly small.

Can Labradorite Form As A Crystal?

Labradorite rarely forms individual crystals, but when it does it is typically tabular and often twinned. Most labradorite occurs as grainy, rounded, chunky masses within host igneous rocks.

Uses For Labradorite

Around the 18th century, labradorite became quite popular for jewelry and was used as an ornamental material for engravings. It is still used to this day in jewelry, clothing, as smaller display pieces, and is even cut and polished into everything from tabletops to floor tiles. It has also become popular with the healing crystal community for “aid in concentration, courage and clarity”.

Is Labradorite Fluorescent?

Despite its amazing color play most labradorite is not fluorescent under UV light. It's been reported that some will fluoresce a very weak blue under long-wave UV, but we've never observed this.

Will Labradorite's Color Fade In The Sunlight?

Some types of minerals and crystals are sensitive to light and will fade or change color due to long-term, direct exposure to the sun. Labradorite's coloration is caused by certain mineral impurities (such as iron) which chemically change when exposed to light. Labradorite will not fade, change color, or lose labradorescence from sunlight exposure since its chemical structure is inherently very stable.

Will Labradorite Dissolve In Water? Is Labradorite Safe To Put In Water?

Labradorite is a very stable mineral and won't be damaged by being cleaned with or submerged in water, even for some period of time. In fact, rough slabs of labradorite are often displayed in tubs of water by dealers, since this method demonstrates the color play seen best when the material is polished.

Featured Photos

Wide, Single Side Polished Labradorite - Madagascar #103000

Flashy, Polished Labradorite Sphere - Great Color Play #103701

Flashy Polished Labradorite Heart #58861

What Causes Labradorescence?

What Colors Can Labradorite Display?

Is Labradorite A Natural Mineral?

Where Is Labradorite Found?

What Is Labradorite Composed Of?

Varieties Of Labradorite

Are Labradorite And Spectrolite The Same Mineral?

Can Labradorite Form As A Crystal?

Uses For Labradorite

Is Labradorite Fluorescent?

Will Labradorite's Color Fade In The Sunlight?

Will Labradorite Dissolve In Water? Is Labradorite Safe To Put In Water?

Featured Photos