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Labradorite | ||
 | Mineral name: | Labradorite |
| Formula: | (Ca,Na)(Si,Al)4O8 | |
| Category: | A member of the plagioclase feldspar series | |
| Name Origin: | Named after its discovery locality, Labrador | |
| Uses: | Ornamental and semi-precious stone | |
| Diagnostic features: | Twinning striations and iridescence (colourful play of light) | |
| Interesting facts: | Iridescence usually displays intense colours that range from the typical blues and violets through greens, yellows and oranges. Some rare specimens display all these colours simultaneously | |
| PROPERTIES | ||
| Colour: | Grey to smoky black | |
| Streak: | White | |
| Luster: | Dull to glassy | |
| Hardness: | 6-6.5 | |
| Density: | 2.74 | |
| Form: | Triclinic | |
| For more info on this mineral: | http://webmineral.com/data/Labradorite.shtml http://www.mindat.org/min-2308.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labradorite | |
| THIS SAMPLE: | ||
| Name: | Labradorite | |
| Size: | 26 x 14 x 5 cm | |
| Came from: | Grenfell quarry, Nain | |
| Province: | Labrador | |
| Collection of: | Royal Ontario Museum Gift of INCO Ltd. - Frohberg Collection | |
| Photography by: | Calvin Nicholls | |
