Labradorite Eclipse Pendant
Labradorite Eclipse Pendant
Labradorite is a glimmering mineral with a beautifully distinct shine. The stone can form in a variety of different colors, with oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and silvers often mixing within a single piece. What makes labradorite’s colorful nature appear is a geological wonder; a bending of light on the microscopic level.
We were drawn to these labradorite pendants specifically due to the way the light is captured by these stunning natural treasures. The polished bead is set into a sterling silver circle and comes with an 18" silver chain.
📸 A Beautiful Labradorite Eclipse Pendant
Labradorite Eclipse Pendant
The incredible colors of Labradorite are an iridescent spectacle unlike any other. Microscopic separations in the mineral's formation cause the reflection of light into brilliant blue, green, and even yellow coloring.
This necklace features a single round bead of polished labradorite set inside a sterling silver circle. Each pendant is completely unique and will shift in tone depending on the lighting. That means this necklace is a dynamic piece of jewelry that will dazzle anyone from any angle.
The polished gemstone bead and silver circle ring comes on an 18" silver chain. It is a stunning statement piece and the shifting colors mean it will look fantastic with warm and cool tones alike.
The labradorite used in our necklaces comes from Madagascar, which is home to some of the finest deposits on Earth. Each necklace is shipped within a black jewelry box and comes with a small informational card that also serves as the certificate of authenticity.
Please Note: We have examined each necklace by hand to select specimens that are beautiful and reflect light in a variety of colors. That said, it is important to note that each stone is absolutely unique. The colors within may vary. In addition, there may be angles where the stone does not exhibit a schiller effect (i.e. shimmer). This is completely natural. The pictures on this page should give you an overall idea of the variety of colors that can be expressed by this magnificent material.
MORE ABOUT LABRADORITE
"The superficial mutable reflection of color is particularly beautiful in Labrador stone." ~ Abraham Gottlob Werner, A Treatise on the External Characters of Fossils, 1774
A Shining Mineral
What sets labradorite apart from other silicate minerals is its inclusions of calcium, aluminum, and sodium ions. When magma containing this mixture cools slowly, the ions cause the separation of microlayers in the rock called lamellae. These separations are spaced only nanometers apart, but the gaps cause a slight irregularity on the surface. These lamellae act like a million tiny mirrors, each refracting light in a different direction.
This is known as a schiller effect and can be seen in a less dramatic way in the glint of other feldspars and silicates. Labradorite’s unique chemical makeup though lends to far more intense refraction, causing colored wavelengths of light to bounce off the mineral. The end result is the stunning colors that can be found when admiring the labradorite.
In order for the ions to separate properly, a slow cooling process is required. This means that labradorite is most commonly found in igneous rocks like basalts or gabbros. Though it was named for its source site in Canada, labradorite can be found all around the world with deposits in Madagascar, Europe, Australia, China, and the United States.
Further Reading
Werner, Abraham Gottlob. A treatise on the external characters of fossils. MN Mahon, 1805.
Labradorite - Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=2308.
Werner, Abraham Gottlob. Von den äusserlichen Kennzeichen der Fossilien. Bey Siegfried Lebrecht Crusius, 1774.
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