mineral

Labradorite

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

Hardness: 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Gray-green, dark grey, brown, or colorless with distinctive iridescent flashes of blue, green, gold, or copper (labradorescence); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Good in two directions.

Hardness: 6-6
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified August 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in mafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro, and anorthosite, as well as in metamorphic and pegmatitic environments through slow cooling of magma.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry-making as cabochons, pendants, and beads due to its striking optical phenomenon, as well as an ornamental stone and architectural material.

Geological facts

Labradorite was first discovered on Paul Island in Labrador, Canada, in 1770. The play of colors, known as labradorescence, is caused by light diffraction within microscopic lamellar intergrowths.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its dark base color and characteristic multicolored metallic flashes when tilted under a light source. Commonly sourced from Canada, Madagascar, Finland, Australia, and Russia.