In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Labradorite is a feldspar that can sit there looking plain grey and then, with a small turn, light up peacock blue, green, gold or orange. That flash is called labradorescence, it is what you are really paying for, and it doesn't behave like the sparkle of most gems. Once you understand how it works, choosing a good piece from photos and video is not difficult, even the first time.
Where the colour comes from
Labradorite is built from extremely thin alternating layers, and these interfere with light in much the same way an oil film on a puddle makes colours. The effect only shows at certain angles, so a stone can look dull until you tilt it just right. That is how the stone works; it is not a fault.
The four things we look at
1. Colour of the flash
Blue is the commonest. Green, gold, orange and above all purple, or a full spectrum of colours together, turn up less often and usually cost more. Really fine full-spectrum material is sometimes sold as spectrolite.
2. Coverage
How much of the face actually lights up? A piece that flashes across most of its surface is worth more than one with a small island of colour.
3. Strength
A strong, saturated flash you can see under ordinary room light beats a faint shimmer that only wakes up under a spotlight.
4. Direction
Ideally the flash shows when you look straight down at the stone, which is how you will see it on your finger. Good orientation in the cut matters a lot, so ask for a video, or at least a photo taken from the front.
The body of the stone
Most labradorite has a dark grey body with natural lines and needle-like inclusions, and that is perfectly normal. Clearer material exists but is less common. Cracks you can see, particularly running across a ring stone, should bring the price down.
Coatings and doublets
- Coated quartz or glass shows a slick, oily rainbow over the entire surface from every angle, instead of a flash that turns on and off as you move it.
- Doublets are a thin slice glued onto a backing. Look at the stone side-on for a join line.
Get the seller to confirm in writing that the stone is natural and solid.
Cleavage, knocks and cleaning
Labradorite sits at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is moderately hard, but it has cleavage planes that don't like knocks. Pendants and earrings suit it perfectly, and a ring is fine if you wear it with some care. Wash it with mild soap and water and keep it out of ultrasonic cleaners.
Where it fits in lore
Labradorite belongs to modern crystal lore, not classical astrology, and people wear it for imagination and protection. Those are beliefs, not promised effects. For the planetary stones, see our rashi guide.
Choosing yours
Every piece in our labradorite collection is checked and photographed on its own, so you see its real flash, not a stock image. You could also compare opal or topaz. Urdu names are on our names page. We deliver with Cash on Delivery from Karachi, where Karachi orders usually arrive in 1 to 2 working days, to Lahore and every other city in Pakistan.
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