igneous
Larvikite
Monzonite (anorthoclase-bearing)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale; displays a striking blue or silver chatoyancy (labradorescence) known as schiller effect; composed mainly of feldspar with augite and biotite.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale; displays a striking blue or silver chatoyancy (labradorescence) known as schiller effect; composed mainly of feldspar with augite and biotite.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magmatic intrusions deep in the Earth's crust during the Permian period, roughly 290-300 million years ago.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a high-end decorative dimension stone for building facades, interior floor tiles, and kitchen countertops.
Geological facts
Designated as a Global Heritage Stone Resource by the IUGS due to its unique appearance and extensive architectural use worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its coarsely crystalline texture and characteristic iridescent flashes of blue light against a dark grey background; quarried primarily in the Larvik region of Norway.
