Published July 2014 • Updated March 2024 • Read Time: 5 minutes
Labradorite is a feldspar mineral that is closely related to Moonstone and Sunstone. All three have an eye-catching iridescence, known as “Schiller Effect” or “labradorescence.” At first glance, Labradorite is a dull green-gray stone, but when the light catches it, the stone displays vivid yellow, blue, and green colors, as well occasional pink, purple and orange. Its energy encourages us to look up – evoking swirling galaxies of starts and the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis. It was originally found in Labrador, Canada, after which it is named, but today most of these eye-catching stones comes from Madagascar.
Labradorite Meaning
Spiritual Healing Properties
Labradorite evokes the energy of the stars and the awe-inspiring Aurora Borialis and Aurora Australis. It is a stone of Great Magic, awakening our natural gifts and connecting us to a mysterious world in which all things are possible. Labradorite is a stone for mystics, shamans, druids, and anyone whose spiritual life follows the “Old Path.” It cuts through illusions to reveal the heart of truth. Labradorite amplifies psychic gifts of all sorts, increases intuition and awareness, and connects us to Universal Energies. It offers protection during ritual work and can help us to smoothly move between realms.
| Metaphysical Properties | Labradorite |
|---|---|
| Chakra | All |
| Element | Wind |
| Numerology | 6 and 7 |
| Zodiac | Leo, Scorpio, and Sagittarius |
Emotional Healing Properties
Labradorite has a sweet calming effect on the heart, helping us to be more contemplative and less given to irrational emotions. It reveals forgotten memories and can help us to calmly process through uncomfortably aspects of our past and present. Labradorite helps us to understand the beliefs that control our emotional state, allowing us to choose new beliefs that better serve our Highest Good and will lead to peace and happiness in our daily life. It is a particularly good stone to work with while undergoing therapy, as it can help us to shed negative energy, particularly fear, and increase our confidence and trust levels.
Mental Healing Properties
Labradorite stimulates imagination and creativity, while also encouraging analysis and logic. It invites us to see the world with a child-like wonder and to be more curious about the natural and spiritual worlds. It encourages us to ask more questions and to be open to unusual answers as long as they have a rational basis. Labradorite deepens self-reflection and contemplation, linking intellectual thought processes with intuitive wisdom. It is a valuable tool during times of transition and transformation, helping our mind to calming shift into new modes so that we can best take care of our physical and emotional bodies.
Physical Healing Properties
Labradorite is a recommended when something is wrong with the physical body but we can’t figure out what is causing the problem or how to heal it. It offers support when we are confused and frustrated with our body and/or with medical professionals. Labradorite reminds us that medicine is still a young science and there is much we still need to learn about the body’s inner workings. Labradorite helps us to stay calm, patient and curious while our healthcare team searches for answers. Labradorite helps us to see hidden patterns and be open to a variety of treatments. But it reminds us to carefully consider all the variables at stake and to do our best to be wise in our healthcare choices. Labradorite is also a good talisman for elders who are at a higher risk for colds, flus, rheumatism and other winter illnesses.
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Labradorite Mineralogy
Where does Labradorite come from?
Iridescent Labradorite deposits are found in Canada, Finland and Madagascar. Golden Labradorite, which is not iridescent, is found in Mexico.
Mining and Treatments
Typically mined from the primary deposits still having their original relationship with the host rock.
Its vivid colors are fully natural, enhanced only by cutting and polishing.
Labradorite
Mineral Family
Labradorite is a Feldspar, which is a Silicate mineral. Silicates are minerals which contain the elements Silicon (a light gray shiny metal) and Oxygen (a colorless gas). There are six main groups of Silicate minerals, and these main groups are further subdivided into secondary subdivisions, such as Quartz and Feldspar. Feldspar is a large mineral family in its own right and is subdivided into Alkali Feldspars (rich in Potassium) and Plagioclase Feldspars (rich in Calcium). Labradorite is a Plagioclase Feldspar.
Golden Labradorite’s energy works well with its family – other Feldspar minerals. Try it in combination with Amazonite, Labradorite, Moonstone, and Sunstone
Labradorite Formation and Crystal Associates
Labradorite is formed in mafic igneous rocks such as Basalt and Gabbo. It grows in crystalline masses that can range in size from microscopic to over a yard or more in length. On rare occasions, it grows tabular crystals. Labradorite is characterized by multiple layers of Feldpsar that grow on top of one another. When light shins through these thin layers it results in a brilliant play of iridescence color, known as the “Schiller effect.” The most common colors are blue, green and gold. But depending on the local, the pink, purple and a rainbow of colors may also be seen.
Labradorite’s energy works well with its “friends” – crystal associates formed in the same geological environment. Try it in combination with Rhodonite and Rhodolite Garnet.
| Mineralogy | Labradorite |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | NaAISI3 O8] to CaAl2 Si2 O8 |
| Cleavage | Perfect |
| Color | Greenish-grey with colorful iridescence |
| Crystal System | Triclinic |
| Form/Habit | Massive |
| Fracture | Uneven, splintery, brittle |
| Hardness – Mohs Scale | 6-6.5 |
| Luminescence | Violet (long wave) / Red (short wave) |
| Luster | Pearly |
| Mineral Family | Feldspar |
| Specific Gravity | 2.65-2.75 |
| Streak | White |
| Transparency | Translucent, opaque |
History of Labradorite
Labradorite is a relatively new stone for the metaphysical community and was not included in any of the ancient lapidaries, texts that describe gemstones and their powers. True Labradorite was first documented in the late eighteenth century in Labrador, Canada, from which it gets its name. Labradorite displays brilliant flashes of iridescent blue, green and gold, a play of colors known as “labradorescence” or “Schller Effect.” This effect is caused by the scattering of light on thin layers of a secondary Feldspar that has grown on top of an initial Feldspar. Labradorite is typically a greyish-green or blue stone, but can also be white or even colorless.
Labradorite was first documented in 1770 on Paul’s Island in Labrador, Canada. Labrador is located in north-eastern Canada, and is still mostly populated by First Nation peoples. According to one Eskimo legend, long ago in the ancient days the flashing Northern Lights were all trapped in rocks along the Labrador coast. One day a mighty warrior came to the area and freed the lights by hitting the rocks with his spear. Most of the Northern Lights were freed and today flash across the wintry sky. But in a few places, the Lights remained trapped and can be seen today in Labradorite’s shimmering colors.
A closely related stone, Spectrolite, looks very similar to Labradorite but exhibits a fuller play of colors and an astonishingly high degree of labradorescence. In addition to Labrodorites’s flashing blue, green and gold colors, Spectrolite may also shine pink, and purple. Spectrolite was initially found in Finland during the twentieth century, and then later in Madagascar and other locals. The Madagascar Spectrolite is widely sold as Labradorite, and today few collectors are even aware of the difference between the two stones. Generally speaking, the name Spectrolite is used today primarily as a branding name for the minerals coming from the Finnish quarries.
