Published April 2020  •  Updated January 2024  •  Read Time: 6 minutes
Larvikite is an iridescent igneous rock found in Norway and in Ontario, Canada.  It is sometimes called “Blue Pearl Granite” and is often used to decorate the face of important buildings, such as corporate headquarters in busy metropolitan areas.  You may also have seen it used as fancy granite countertops in expensive kitchens.  Larvikite is one of the rare Global Heritage Stones recognized by the International Geological Conference for having an important impact on human culture.  It is closely related to Labradorite, another healing crystal with a fabulous iridescence.  It has a wonderful energy, both grounded and elevated which inspires wisdom.

Larvikite

Larvikite Meaning

Spiritual Healing Properties

Larvikite is a wise and protective stone. It cancels out dark magic and hexes, and repels all forms of negative energy. It cleanses our spiritual bodies of old energy that no longer serves us, including painful karma from past lives. Larvikite helps us to swiftly learn whatever lessons needed to be learned, and then to move forward peacefully. Larvikite teaches us how to see ourselves with the kind and sage eyes of our Highest Self. It inspires patience, compassion and a remarkably grounded common-sense. Larvikite reveals reality very clearly. It councils us to be careful not to believe everything we think and feel, without first testing it against Truth. It is a wonderful meditation tool, sharpening our mind’s focus and dismissing extraneous thoughts. It is also a powerful shaman stone, sharpening our inner visions, strengthening our psychic powers and protecting us during astral travels. Larvikite helps us to sense the presence of nature spirits and to reconnect to nature if we have gotten lost in the trappings of civilization.

Metaphysical Properties Larvikite
Chakra Root, Third Eye
Element Earth, Wind
Numerology 2
Zodiac Aquarius

Emotional Healing Properties

Larvikite helps us process the past and release trauma and pain. It supports us when we desperately want closure. When closure is possible, it shows us the quickest way forward. When it isn’t possible, Larvikite holds us steady so that we can accept reality for what it is. Larvikite encourages us to be more emotionally-aware and in-control. It increases our awareness of our beliefs, conscious and unconscious, as well as our thoughts and emotions. Rather than trusting them implicitly, Larvikite helps us to test these mental musings against reality. If reality offers a different perspective, Larvikite helps us to shift into alignment with the truth. This re-alignment, may not always bring pleasure, but it will always bring clarity and from there, the surest path to long-term peace. Larvikite gives us gifts of self-confidence, self-reliance and resiliency. It reminds us that we are strong enough and capable enough to handle life’s challenges. Larvikite also helps us to better understand other people, including where they are coming from emotionally and what beliefs are motivating their actions. Larkivite reminds us to be patient and to focus on what is in our control.

Mental Healing Properties

Larvikite is a phenomenal healing crystal for the mind. It helps our brains to process complex or new information quickly and easily. It strengthens our natural intellectual abilities, making it an excellent stone for students and lifelong learners. Larvikite stimulates our creativity, particularly when we are seeking realism in our creative work rather than abstraction. Larvikite focuses our mind and gives us mental strength when we need to intellectually perform. It aids in memory recall and helps us separate truth from fiction. Larvikite encourages us to make sane and sober decisions, rather than reacting rashly. It helps us to logically work our way out of tricky situations and to value truth more than comfort.

Physical Healing Properties

Larvikite is recommended for problems associated with the physical brain. It can help us figure out how to work around and work with learning disabilities or learning differences. It reminds us that as long as we reach the end-goal, the specific path that took us there isn’t important. Larvikite is also supportive after a stroke or other brain injury. It offers comfort as we try to rebuild neural pathways or to find new workarounds. If we feel frustrated because our brain isn’t doing what we want it to do, Larvikite teaches patience, acceptance and helps us to focus on what we can control or affect.

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Larvikite Mineralogy

Where does Larvikite come from?

Larvikite is found in Canada and Norway.

Mining and Treatments

Larvikite is industrially-mined for decorative blocks for corporate buildings and “granite” kitchen and bathroom counter tops. The flashy iridescence also makes it popular with carvers and collectors. The only enhancement for these pretty minerals is cutting and polishing.

Larvikite Placeholder
Larvikite

The Environmental & Social Impact of Crystals

Your crystals should have a healing energy that is clean, powerful, & makes a positive difference.

Mineral Family

Larvikite is technically a rock, rather than a mineral. As an easy way to understand the difference, think of rocks as being like cookies and minerals as being the ingredients which make up those cookies. Many different minerals are used to create a rock! Larvikite is a type of Monsonite, an igneous rock closely related to Granite. It is composed of several closely-related Feldspar minerals. Larvikite is notable for its large iridescent crystals.

Larvikite’s energy works well with its family – other igneous rocks.  Try it in combination with Chinese Writing Stone, Garnierite, Indigo Gabbro, Moonstone Tourmaline, Obsidian, Preseli Bluestone, and Unakite

Larvikite Formation and Crystal Associates

Larvikite, like all igneous rocks, is formed from molten magma solidifies. In this case, it happens underground, creating an intrusive rock.

Larvikite’s energy works well with its “friends” – crystal associates formed in the same geological environment.  Try it in combination with Amazonite, Apatite, Diopside

Why is Larvikite irridescent?

Larvikite is an iridescent stone that sparkles and flashes when light moves across its surface.  The proper geological term for this iridescence is schiller. It is caused by microscopic inclusions within a transparent mineral which refract and reflect light.  One form of schiller effect is called labradorescence, named after the colorful mineral Labradorite.  Larvikite’s iridescence is extremely similar to Labradorite’s, in fact the two are frequently mistaken for each other.  In both cases, the microscopic inclusions that cause the flashing colors are due to a high presence of potassium within the minerals.

Mineralogy Larvikite
Rock Type Igneous – Monzonite
Major Minerals Feldspar
Minor Minerals Apatite, Bioltite, Clear Quartz, Hornblend, Olivine, Titanium
Color Gray, black and blue-ish
Texture Course-grained
Transparency Opaque
Special Features Iridescent

History of Larvikite

Larvikite is a relatively new crystal that has only come to the attention of the metaphysical community in the 21st century. As such, it is not included in any of the older lapidaries, texts that describe gemstones and their powers. It is sometimes confused with Labradorite, Moonstone and Sunstone. In fact, they are all closely related rocks composed primarily of Feldspar and notable for their flashy iridescence.

It is a rare form of Monzonite which was first discovered in eastern Norway. The original deposit is part of the Larvik Plutonic Complex, a region of igneous rocks which are 292-298 million years old. A second deposit of Larvikite is found in the Killala Lake Alkalic Rock Complex, near Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada. The Canadian variety is likely much older, perhaps as old as 2.7 billion years.

Larvikite has been mined continually in Norway since 1884. The Norwegian deposit is very large and will most likely be mined for centuries to come. Historically, Larvikite was mined for decorative construction purposes, both commercial and home use. It is often marketed as rare “Blue Pearl Granite” or “Black Pearl Granite,” rather than by its proper geological name of Monzonite. During the 21st century, as sustainability has become a topic of interest, industrial mines have looked for ways to use excess material, including selling small pieces to rock collectors.

The Norwegian stone is considered a “Global Heritage Stone” by the International Union of Geological Sciences. As of 2023, only 24 rocks have been included on this list.  Some of them are easy to justify, such as Carrara Marble, used to build the Pantheon in ancient Rome and by Michelangelo for all his sculptures, including the David.  Another famous honoree is Makrana Marble what was used to build the Taj Mahal.  Larvikite’s claim to fame seems more modest in comparison.  It was most likely included because the the first meeting to choose Global Heritage Stones took place in Oslo, Norway.

Larvikite can be found on buildings around the world.  An excellent example of a building clad top to bottom with Black Pearl Larvikite is Georg Sverrups’ House – the main research library at the University of Oslo.  The building opened in 1999 and is designed in a post-modern style with monumental columns that evoke the library facades of antiquity.  It was named after Georg Sverrup (1770-1850), a professor of Greek and philosophy, and the founder of the first Norwegian university library.  The librarian’s original “house” held 90.000 volumes, his new “house” holds 800,000 with plenty of room for more.

Additional References:

  1. Hannibal, Joseph T. and J. Copper.  “Worldwide examples of global heritage stones: an introduction” Geological Society, 486, (2020). https://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/486/1/1
  2. Mindat.org, “Larvikite,” https://www.mindat.org/min-39944.html

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