(Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
Labradorite
Spectrolite, the Finnish variety from Ylämaa, flashes a fuller rainbow than the grey Labrador stone.
- Formula
- (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6–6.5
- Crystal system
- triclinic
- Colour
- many-coloured
- Element
- aether
- Chakra (tradition)
- third eye
- Zodiac
- Scorpio, Leo, Sagittarius
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Labrador, Finland, Madagascar
What it actually is
Labradorite is (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈ before it is a story. The lattice is triclinic, Mohs 6–6.5, and the eye meets many-coloured.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Labrador, Finland, Madagascar. Spectrolite, the Finnish variety from Ylämaa, flashes a fuller rainbow than the grey Labrador stone.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Labradorite to aether and to the third eye centre. The old site stood it near: Scorpio, Leo, Sagittarius.
How not to turn it to ash
A hard stone survives a daily ring, yet two diamonds in one box will scratch each other. Warm water and a soft cloth are enough.