igneous
Larvikite
Monzonite / Anorthoclase-bearing syenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark grey to black color with a distinctive blue or silver schiller effect (labradorescence), vitreous luster, and massive or granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark grey to black color with a distinctive blue or silver schiller effect (labradorescence), vitreous luster, and massive or granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the cooling of magma deep within the Earth's crust approximately 290 to 300 million years ago during the Permian period.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a decorative dimension stone for building facades, interior flooring, countertops, and polished jewelry pendants.
Geological facts
Larvikite is the national rock of Norway and is famous for its unique feldspar crystals that refract light to create a shimmering blue flash.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its dark crystalline matrix combined with flashing chatoyant feldspar grains; commonly sourced from the Larvik region of Norway.
