igneous
Larvikite
Larvikite (Anorthoclase-rich Monzonite)
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark grey to bluish-black with visible blue or silver Schiller effect (labradorescence); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic/Monoclinic; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Dark grey to bluish-black with visible blue or silver Schiller effect (labradorescence); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic/Monoclinic; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma deep underground (intrusive) during the Permian period, approximately 290-300 million years ago, in the Oslo Rift region of Norway.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as high-end dimension stone for building facades, countertops, and floor tiles. It is also popular in jewelry (cabochons, beads) and as a decorative or metaphysical stone.
Geological facts
Larvikite is the national stone of Norway. Despite its similar appearance and blue flashes, it is a monzonite and not a true labradorite; the flash comes from ternary feldspars called anorthoclase.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic blue or silver shimmering flashes against a dark, coarse-grained background. It is most commonly found in the Larvik region of Norway. Can be distinguished from labradorite by its rock texture and higher feldspar content.
