igneous
Larvikite
Monzonite / Feldspar syenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale; dark grey to black color with striking blue or silver labradorescent schiller effect; vitreous to pearly luster; massive or coarse-grained crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale; dark grey to black color with striking blue or silver labradorescent schiller effect; vitreous to pearly luster; massive or coarse-grained crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma in deep-seated plutonic chambers during the Permian period, approximately 290 to 300 million years ago.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a polished dimension stone for architectural cladding, interior countertops, and occasionally as a lapidary gemstone.
Geological facts
Larvikite is the national rock of Norway and is famous for its bright, iridescent feldspar crystals that flash silver-blue in the light.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark coarse-grained matrix and characteristic shimmering blue-grey feldspar crystals. Sourced primarily near Larvik, Norway.
