Labradorite is a feldspar mineral that is commonly found in igneous rocks that are rich in magnesium and iron. Labradorite is often referred to as a gemstone and is noted for its iridescent colors, including blue, green, red, orange, and yellow. Fine specimens of this gemstone are used to create jewelry pieces. The stones radiate an energy that supports clarity, introspection, and creativity.
A Shimmery Effect
Aggregate layers that consist of loosely compacted rock fragments tend to reflect golden and reddish hues. Labradorite may appear to be a deep bluish, greenish color that is representative of a body of water and the deepness of each color variation may fluctuate, depending upon the internal makeup of a stone. Unlike a diamond or another sparkly stone that possesses a glistening quality that fluctuates, due to the manner in which light hits a stone, labradorite plays upon the internal striations and color combinations to create a color display.
Jewelry pieces that showcase this gemstone may contain a metal chain, a series of beads, or a variety of gemstones that complement labradorite pieces. Labradorite may be polished and possess a symmetrical shape or remain unrefined and contain jagged edges and an irregular shape.
Quality And Care
A professional jeweler may attempt to cut each stone and transform it into a cabochon (polished stone). Cabochon labradorites are non-faceted and the shimmery quality will be most noticeable when a gemstone is facing upward. Unrefined labradorite may contain a shimmery effect throughout a stone or concentrated areas where colors play off one another.
For this reason, any stone that will be used as a pendant or that has already been used to create a piece of jewelry should be inspected. The inspection will aid with choosing a stone that possesses the level of iridescence that you desire. The body of a stone may be grey, black, or dark brown. When the colors shine through, flashes of blue, green, red, orange, and yellow may appear.
When inspecting a jewelry piece that contains labradorite gemstones, take notice of the manner in which settings, the clasp, and gemstones are attached. Running water or a sea salt and water mixture can be used to clean labradorite. The water quality may have a bearing on how well a stone looks after a cleaning session. Avoid using abrasive materials and do not leave labradorite in water for an extended duration, since too much water or salt can affect the clarity of a stone.
