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The name labradorite originates from Canada, specifically the Labrador region, where it was unearthed around 1770 by Moravian missionaries who were evangelizing the Inuit population.
This mineral is truly a gem of nature, captivating with its metallic iridescent reflections. Its brilliance showcases an astonishing palette of colors, ranging from blue to violet, sometimes adorned with hints of green, yellow, or orange, depending on its variety. Some specimens offer a veritable chromatic fireworks display, exhibiting all these shades simultaneously.
Belonging to the feldspar family, labradorite, a variety of anorthite, owes its iridescent reflections to twinned lamellae that, by reflecting light, generate the mesmerizing effect known as adularescence or Schiller effect.
Another deposit was discovered in Finland around 1940, during World War II, as miners were setting up traps for enemy tanks. This labradorite, now known as Spectrolite, entered the gemstone market.
Labradorite is sometimes nicknamed the "rainbow moonstone" because of its range of iridescent colors. It is also referred to by names such as carnatite, hafnefjordite, mauilite, radauite, silicite, or spectrolite.
Occasionally used as a decorative material for building facades, lower-grade labradorite can also be found in the form of light yellow transparent crystals. However, this variety, while sometimes attractive, is fragile and lacks the characteristic reflections of its higher quality counterpart.
Labradorite is shrouded in mystery and legend among the Inuit and Innus (Montagnais-Naskapis) peoples. According to their belief, it emerges from the fire of the northern lights, frozen by the relentless cold of these northern lands, and then falls to the ground as a gift from the gods.
Another fascinating legend recounts that an Inuit warrior once struck a labradorite with his spear, thus triggering the dazzling northern lights. The labradorites we discover today are said to be fragments of light forever captured in the rock.
For these peoples, labradorite is not just a stone but a guardian of the spirit of their ancestors, containing their wisdom and strength.
They regarded it as a source of power and healing, sometimes using its powder as a medicinal remedy to combat a multitude of ailments, thus perpetuating an ancient tradition imbued with respect and veneration for this sacred stone.
Mines: Canada, the USA, France, Madagascar, Russia, Ukraine, Norway and Finland.
Labradorite is renowned for its numerous health benefits:
⚠ Please note that all healing properties presented for gemstones are gathered from various sources. This information is provided as a service and is not intended to treat medical conditions. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for serious medical issues and not to rely solely on gemstones as a treatment.