Labradorite

Labradorite gets its name from the Labrador region in Canada, where it was first discovered. The stone contains a variety of metal element crystal minerals, giving it a unique play of colors known as labradorescence. This phenomenon causes the stone to shimmer with vibrant colors. Labradorites that display a full spectrum of colors are called “Spectrolite,” which is especially rare and valuable. Labradorite typically appears in gray, brown, or black, while gemstone-quality labradorite can exhibit iridescent colors such as red, yellow, blue, and green. When choosing labradorite, stones with a beautiful and large area of labradorescence are the most desirable. Due to its well-developed cleavage, labradorite is prone to breakage, so it should be set in jewelry with protective designs and handled carefully to avoid impact. There are almost no imitations of labradorite, but syenite rocks have a similar luster and are often counterfeited, but the quality is not as good as gem-grade labradorite.