A Large Specimen Of Purple Labradorite

A Large Specimen of Purple Labradorite

Madagascar

20 x 9 1/2 x 4 inches. A very large and impressive specimen, elegantly polished, and presented on a minimalist brass stand. 

A massive and impressive specimen of labradorite, demonstrating the wonderful range of colors in which they can be found.  

Labradorite was claimed to have been "discovered" by Moravian missionaries in 1770 in the Labrador region of Canada; in reality the feldspar mineral had long been known and is mentioned frequently in the legends of the Inuit people, who referred to it as a "fire stone," and were known to grind it into powder to treat a variety of ailments. Acording to Inuit lore, Labradorite fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis, and indeed this mysterious mineral is just as visually fascinating as the northern lights. Labradorite can appear opaque and colorless, however when the angle of view is changed, pearly and iridescent green, blue, turquoise, silver, and gold colors leap out, produced by the interference of light in the mineral structure.