Elastic bracelet with 18–22 10mm labradorite beads, featuring the characteristic blue-green labradorescence effect of this feldspar. Labradorite is one of the few minerals that generates an iridescence visible to the naked eye: as you turn the bracelet in your hand, flashes of blue, green, and sometimes gold emerge from the depths of each bead as a reflection of light on internal layers. The silver-grey background of the labradorite makes these flashes particularly visible in contrast.
Item Details
| Mineral |
Labradorite ((Ca,Na)(Si,Al)₄O₈ — plagioclase) |
| Bead size |
10 mm diameter (±0.5 mm) |
| Number of beads |
18–22 units depending on wrist size |
| Finish |
Mirror polished — maximizes labradorescence |
| Hardness |
6–6.5 Mohs |
| Optical effect |
Labradorescence — blue-green to golden iridescence |
| Clasp |
No clasp — adjustable elastic cord |
| Origin |
Material acquired from wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
The beads in detail
Labradorescence is not uniform among beads: some display an intense electric blue, others a softer blue-green, and a few may show golden or orange tones. This variation depends on the viewing angle, the orientation of the cleavage plane relative to the bead's surface, and the density of the albite-anorthite lamellae that produce light interference. The stone's background ranges from silver-grey to dark grey, serving as a backdrop that amplifies the contrast with the flashes.
In 10mm beads, labradorescence is clearly visible without the need for direct light: under normal ambient lighting conditions, the beads display their effect simply by moving the wrist. Some beads may have areas with no visible effect (matte grey) — this is normal and does not indicate low quality, but simply that that area of the bead has the lamellae at an unfavorable angle to the observer.
How labradorescence is formed
Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar with a composition between albite (NaAlSi₃O₈) and anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈). During the slow cooling of igneous rock, alternating lamellae of two distinct plagioclase compositions form at the nanoscale. When light passes through these lamellae, an optical interference occurs, amplifying certain wavelength ranges and returning them to the observer as brilliant colors.
Labradorite in lapidary tradition
The Inuit of Labrador (Canada) already knew labradorite before European contact and called it "fire stone of the North," associating it with the lights of the aurora borealis, which they believed were trapped in the rock.
In crystal tradition, labradorite is associated with intuition, transformation, and magic — qualities linked to its unpredictable and changing visual effect. This is shared as cultural reference, not as medical advice.
How to recognize genuine labradorite
Genuine labradorescence is a color iridescence that changes with the viewing angle — unlike dyed minerals, whose color is fixed from any angle. The silver-grey base of labradorite is another indicator: untreated feldspar always has this neutral background. The most common imitations are iridescent glass and laboratory-grown (synthetic) labradorite, which exhibit overly uniform and brilliant colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this labradorite treated?
No detectable treatment. Labradorescence is a structural optical effect — it cannot be added by dyeing or heat treatment. The grey color of the background is the natural color of the feldspar. Statement based on lapidary observation.
Why do some beads have less labradorescence than others?
The intensity of the labradorescence depends on the orientation of the lamellae relative to the bead's surface. In a spherical bead, different areas have different orientations: only areas with the lamellae at the correct angle will show the flash. This is a characteristic of the mineral, not a quality defect.
Is the bracelet one size fits all?
Yes. The elastic cord adapts to most wrist sizes (16–21 cm circumference). The number of beads varies between 18 and 22 units; the diameter of each bead is 10 mm ±0.5 mm.
See also: mineral bracelet collection · labradorite cabochons.
