Let's Talk About Beads 101: Labradorite

Hey 👋🏾, fellow jewelry enthusiasts! Welcome (back) to Delightful Gems. If you are new here, we use our blog – Delightful Gems – to share knowledge about different aspects of our handmade jewelry business.

We recently started a series ­– Let’s Talk About Beads 101 – where we are providing information about the various semiprecious gemstones we create our jewelry with. Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of labradorite. Labradorite has been capturing hearts and minds for centuries. It is also our favorite semiprecious gemstone 🙂. Join us as we explore all things labradorite!

Let's start with the name itself. Labradorite got its name from the Canadian province of Labrador, where it was first discovered by Moravian missionaries in the late 18th century. This remarkable gemstone gained fame for its unique play of colors, known as "labradorescence." These iridescent flashes of blue, green, yellow, and even orange give labradorite a magical and mystical quality that makes it a favorite among jewelry makers and collectors.

Labradorite belongs to the feldspar mineral group, which includes other well-known gems like moonstone and sunstone. What makes labradorite even more special, is its exceptional iridescence, which occurs due to light interference between layers of the stone's structure. 

Labradorite was initially discovered in Labrador, Canada. However, labradorite is also found in various locations worldwide, including Madagascar, Finland, China, Australia, and the United States (mainly in the state of Oregon). 

Labradorite typically scores around 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale (from 1 - 10). A mineral's hardness is a measure of its durability and relative resistance to scratching. Labradorite's score of 6 to 6.5 means that labradorite is suitable for use in jewelry but care must still be taken to minimize risk of damage. 

Labradorite is renowned in the world of alternative healing and spirituality. Often associated with spiritual growth, intuition, and protection, labradorite is considered a stone of transformation, helping individuals navigate life's changes and challenges. Many believe it can help open the third eye chakra, enhancing insight and self-awareness. Labradorite is also thought to shield its wearer from negative energies and promote a sense of balance and harmony. 

Labradorite holds a special place in our hearts for its beauty and radiance. So much so that we have a hard time letting go of it 😆. We hope this educational post about labradorite has shed some light on this magical gemstone. 💜✨