Labradorite is a calcic sodic feldspar—a plagioclase—with a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Its most striking feature is not its base color, which is a subtle grey, but what happens inside when light hits it. It was discovered in the 18th century on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, which gave it its name. Today, the largest deposits are found in Madagascar, and an exceptional variety comes from Finland.
Labradorescence—an optical phenomenon unique to this stone
What fascinates people about Labradorite is labradorescence—a precise term distinct from adularescence, which refers to the phenomenon unique to moonstone. Labradorescence is produced by the interference of light with the stone's fine internal layers, whose chemical composition alternates regularly. These layers, invisible to the naked eye, act as a natural diffraction grating: depending on the angle of incidence of the light and the angle of observation, they reveal reflections of spectacular intensity—electric blue, deep green, gold, orange, purple, and sometimes pink. Labradorite does not contain these colors: it creates them with every movement and every change in light. It is an entirely natural phenomenon, without any treatment of any kind.
Spectrolite—the Finnish Labradorite
Spectrolite is the Finnish variety of Labradorite, and it deserves special mention. Discovered in the Ylämaa region of Finland during World War II, it displays a richer spectrum of colors and reflections of particularly luminous intensity—hence its name, derived from the word spectrum. Where ordinary Labradorite primarily reveals blues and greens, Spectrolite can display the entire palette, from red to purple, as well as gold and copper. It is one of the most prized Labradorites among collectors and jewelers.
White Labradorite—not to be confused
White Labradorite, sold under the trade name "Rainbow Moonstone," displays the same iridescent reflections as blue Labradorite, but on a translucent white background. These reflections can be blue, yellow, or more rarely pink. It is not a true moonstone—authentic moonstone is an adularia or orthoclase, a different potassium feldspar—nor is it peristerite, which is another variety of plagioclase. These distinctions have real gemmological importance, even though the name "Rainbow Moonstone" is now widely accepted in trade.
Inuit Legends—the Stone of the Northern Lights
Inuit tradition has developed two stories to explain the origin of Labradorite's reflections, and both are of rare beauty. The first tells that the light of the Northern Lights once solidified in the cold, falling to the earth as rock—and that Labradorite is none other than this light trapped in stone. The second features a warrior who, striking a Labradorite with his spear, releases the colored fires trapped in the rock, which then rise into the sky and become the Northern Lights. In both cases, the same intuition: that this stone contains something of the sky. As protection and as a link between the earthly world and the celestial world, it has passed through centuries of tradition without ever losing its character as a stone of passage.
Labradorite at Orcha Jewelry
Our Labradorite jewelry is crafted in solid 925 sterling silver by our artisan partners. Each stone is selected for the quality and intensity of its labradorescence—a criterion that only the eye can assess by moving the stone under the light. To learn more about our selection process and the artisans who make these pieces, visit our Artisans & Sourcing page. For any questions about labradorescence, the difference between Labradorite and moonstone, or the care of your jewelry, our Stone & Gem FAQ will answer you precisely.
To learn more about the geological history and symbolism of this unique stone, discover our article dedicated to Labradorite.
