Labradorite Gemstones - Gemstone with labradorescence
Introduction
This is a gemstone that was popularly referred to by the Native Americans as the Firestone. This is because the gemstone had a brilliant way of capturing light within the structure of the crystal, and then making it dance like fire. This is a gemstone that has a wonderful iridescence, which is the term given to the play of colors that is displayed by most gemstones. This gemstone gets its name from the place where it was first seen, and this is St Paul, Labrador in Canada. This is also the first place where the dog which foes by the same name, was first bred.
When you look at the labradorite gemstone from across a room, which is dimly lit, you may wonder what is so special about this gemstone. However, when you turn up the light or take it out of the room and into the sun, you will see the fiery nature of this magnificent gemstone. You will be amazed at how the colors of the gemstone seem to dance within it, and they are as mystical and magical as the Northern Lights. So unique is this particular iridescence, that it was given its own name of Labradorescence. It is one of those experiences derived from gemstones that can only be viewed in order to be truly appreciated.
Labradorescence can only be seen in order to get the true magic of the color effects. The colors range from wonderful blues and violets, to greens that look like forests, and golden yellow bursts and lastly sunset orange. It is only the special labradorite stone, which is very rare that will show you all these colors at the same time. The effect is caused by the refraction of light, which enters the gemstone and is bounced like a pinball in a small pinball machine, through the layers that forms the crystal system of the gemstone.
At first, you may see the labradorite as a boring gemstone, that has a very deep and smoky color that is gray on the inside and brown towards the edges. But when you gaze deep into the gem. And slowly turn it, you will see this effect. If you do turn the gemstone and do not see this kaleidoscope of color, then this is not gem quality labradorite and should not be considered when making jewelry.
The myths and legends that surround tis gemstone are truly fascinating. This is a gemstone that is thought to bring out the true power of the mind, and is said to have helped the wearer to go way beyond his or her limitations in any task. This is a sister to moonstone, and it is thus said to grant the wearer inner sight and knowledge that are the mystery that is the psyche. This is a gemstone that is thought to protect the aura of the wearer and align the self with the universe, allowing him or her to achieve his or her destiny. The gemstone is associated with the third chakra which is found on the brow; the gems is thus said to lessen negative energy and is used when praying or meditating. Apart from Canada, labradorite can be found in China, India, Russia, Mexico, Australia, Madagascar, the United States of America and Scandinavia. It is called spectrolite in Scandinavia.
This is one of the rarest gemstone in the world, and many dealers will try their best to have a reasonable amount in their stocks. The stone can sometimes appear to be yellow. The yellow labradorite is very similar to the red variety and usually has a very clear transparency. It is also a very brilliant gemstone. Just like when you wear citrine or lemon quartz, you cannot help but smile when you wear the yellow labradorite.
A deeper look at labradorite gemstones
This is a gemstone that has brilliant and fiery pastels and some deep golden tints. It is a gemstone that has been said to have a black rainbow of color. When you are looking at the iridescent display of the colors of this gemstone, which is so unique that it was called Labradorescence, then you will be mystified by the beauty of the stone. You will see how the colors play as you turn the stone in different directions and there will be a wide range of colors shown, hence the name of being a black rainbow.
This is a gemstone that comes in various colors and these are a weak green to yellow green, orange to brown, yellow, brownish red. It is also said to come in Oregon material pale to pinkish orange. There are those classified as being red to reddish orange. There are others that have a very deep red color, and others look pink to reddish orange. There are also those that are pale yellow to orange and other that have a moderate to string green color. There are others that have a bi-color property.
This is a gemstone that belongs to the feldspar family of gemstones and the key features that are used to separate it are the refractive index, birefringence, magnification and optic characteristics. When this gemstone is viewed under the polariscope, you will see that it has twinning. There are some labradorite gemstones that will show aventurescence similar to that which is seen in sunstone or the aventurine feldspar. The Oregon material labradorite will have a refractive index of 1.563 to 1.572 and a specific gravity of 2.67 to 2.72. The Oregon material labradorite may sometimes be mistaken for a sunstone. It is sometimes called by this name even when there is no aventurescence. There are people who call the labradorite as the rainbow moonstone or the black rainbow.
This is a gemstone that has a semitransparent to translucent clarity and a refractive index that typically ranges between 1.559 and 1.568. The birefringence is at a value of 0.009. It has a biaxial optic character and a positive optic sign. It is doubly refractive when it is viewed under the polariscope. When it is viewed under long and short wave ultraviolet light it is generally inert, but may show a patch of weak white in the Oregon material variety.
This is a gemstone that may display some pleochroic nature within certain colors. In the yellow labradorite, you may see a colorless and light yellow color. In the yellow green labradorite, you will see the same pleochroism. The Oregon material might have a string change from red to green.
Labradorite can be termed as being a calcium or sodium silicate and has a triclinic crystal system. This is a gemstone that has a hardness of 6 to 6.5 and also bears a white streak. It has a specific gravity that ranges between 2.65 and 2.75 but typically it is 2.7. This is a gemstone that is not tough, and has a high number of inclusions. The gemstones may show some twinning that is repeated in the crystal. It also has black magnetite inclusions that look like needles. There are also some ilmenite and metallic platelets that night be hematite. The Oregon material labradorite may also have some small orange to yellow copper platelets.
This is a gemstone with a vitreous luster and is very stable. It has an uneven to splintery fracture and the cleavage is perfect and easy in two directions. It is also common to find some parting within the crystal structure.
