mineral

Labradorite

(Ca, Na)(Al, Si)4O8

Hardness: 6-6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Gray to black with labradorescence (blue, green, gold flashes); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Two directions at nearly 90 degrees; Specific Gravity: 2.68-2.72

Hardness: 6-6
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in mafic igneous rocks such as basalt and gabbro, and in some metamorphic rocks. Most famous deposits are Proterozoic in age (approx. 1.3 billion years old) found in the Nain Plutonic Suite.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, lapidary carvings, ornamental architecture (countertops/tiles), and as a collector's specimen due to its unique optical effects.

Geological facts

It is named after the Labrador peninsula in Canada where it was first discovered in 1770. The rainbow-like optical effect is called labradorescence, caused by light reflecting off microscopic layers within the crystal.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by rotating the specimen to catch the 'schiller' flash of metallic colors against a dark gray background. Found extensively in Canada (Labrador), Madagascar, Norway, and Finland.