FactSheet – Labradorite

Origin
Labradorite forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks in various parts of the world, being discovered in Labrador, north-east Canada in the 18th century.

Composition: Sodium calcium aluminosilicate (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)4O8
Empirical formula: Na0.4Ca0.6Al
1.6Si2.4O8
Structure: Triclinic (Mohs scale 6)
Colour: Colourless or grey, but displaying a spectacular play of colour or ‘schiller’ (from the German word for iridescence) caused by interference effects of light either bouncing off tiny particles of magnetite impurities or from being refracted back and forth between layers formed within the specimen. The ‘labradoresence’ is usually blues, purples, greens, golds and sometimes reds.

Sources
Crystals (UK) labradorite comes from Madagascar.


Ros Mason – July 2006
© Crystals (UK) Ltd. T/A Crystals Reg. No. 5056864.

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Birthstones
& Zodiac stones
Our choices of stones are an amalgamation of modern and traditional systems, as well as those originating from Roman, Hebrew and Ayurvedic sources. We hope you find them useful.


Birthstones

January – Garnet
(also Rose Quartz)

February – Amethyst
(also Onyx)

March – Aquamarine
(also Bloodstone, Red Jasper)

April – Diamond
(also Rock Crystal/Quartz)

May – Emerald
(also Agate, Chrysoprase)

June – Moonstone
(also Pearl, Alexandrite)

July – Ruby
(also Jade, Carnelian)

August – Peridot
(also Carnelian, Sardonyx)

September – Sapphire
(also Chrysolite, Lapis Lazuli)

October – Opal
(also Beryl, Pink Tourmaline)

November – Yellow Topaz
(also Citrine)

December – Turquoise
(also Blue Topaz)


Zodiac Stones

Aquarius – Garnet

Pisces – Amethyst

Aries – Bloodstone

Taurus – Sapphire

Gemini – Agate

Cancer – Emerald

Leo – Onyx

Virgo – Carnelian

Libra – Chrysolite

Scorpio – Beryl

Sagittarius – Topaz

Capricorn – Ruby

Crystals (UK) Ltd.
Head Office: 13 Norman Court, Budlake Rd, Marsh Barton
Exeter EX2 8PY, UK
www.crystalshop.co.uk