Labradorite Crystal is a popular semi-precious gemstone. It's found in many different places around the world. Most commonly it's associated with the astrological sign Cancer, but it's also often used in spiritualism and in energy healing. It's believed to be able to cleanse negative energy from the body and improve one's mood. It's also known to enhance creativity and focus.
The first known deposit of labradorite Crystal was found in Pauls Island, Labrador, Canada. Later, deposits were discovered throughout the world. It's considered to be one of the most powerful semi-precious stones. It's part of the Feldspar group of minerals.
Depending on the chemistry of the stone, it may be called a variety of names. Some of these include "Sunstone", "Lynx Eye", and "Mississippi Star".
Labradorite Crystal is a yellowish-gold-colored feldspar, but it can also be colorless or orange. Its main attraction is its iridescent effect, known as labradorescence.
When the light strikes the surface of the rock, a schilling pattern is formed. This is a natural phenomenon that allows the stone to show its full range of colours. The best way to experience this is to place the base of the cabochon near the layers. When viewed from above, the layers will seem to be angled. This is a result of the crystals' unique atomic structure.
When a piece of labradorite is cut, it reveals a great deal of the gemstone's versatility. Its glinting blue and green colours are particularly impressive. It is sometimes cut into a cabochon, which is the most common method of displaying its unique labradorescence.
There are two major varieties of Certified Labradorite gemstone - opaque and transparent. Both of them come in a wide array of colours, including yellow, orange, blue, green, and more. The transparent variety is more rare, but it is worth searching for. The opaque version of Labradorite contains gold.
Generally, it's not difficult to mine Labradorite, which has a refractive index of 1.52 to 1.56. The stone is a member of the plagioclase feldspar family. It is formed in mafic igneous rocks. It's most widely distributed in the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, and the San Marcos Mountains in San Diego County.
Although it is easily mined, the value of a piece of Labradorite Crystal can be somewhat variable. A large portion of the value depends on its colour. The colour of the stone can be a crucial factor, as it indicates the specific source. Some of the best sources of Labradorite are the US and Canada, but there are deposits in other countries as well.
Several mines in Oregon produce labradorite that is free from labradorescence. However, other mines in the United States produce a transparent version that does exhibit this amazing optical effect.
Because of its unique optical properties, Labradorite has become a popular gem. Ratanrashi is especially popular in the astrological sign of Cancer, which is a nurturing and compassionate sign. It's also known to open the crown chakra, which is said to help the wearer awaken and increase the flow of energy.