View allAll Photos Tagged Labradorite
A mineral is a naturally-occurring, solid, inorganic, crystalline substance having a fairly definite chemical composition and having fairly definite physical properties. At its simplest, a mineral is a naturally-occurring solid chemical. Currently, there are over 5700 named and described minerals - about 200 of them are common and about 20 of them are very common. Mineral classification is based on anion chemistry. Major categories of minerals are: elements, sulfides, oxides, halides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, and silicates.
The silicates are the most abundant and chemically complex group of minerals. All silicates have silica as the basis for their chemistry. "Silica" refers to SiO2 chemistry. The fundamental molecular unit of silica is one small silicon atom surrounded by four large oxygen atoms in the shape of a triangular pyramid - this is the silica tetrahedron - SiO4. Each oxygen atom is shared by two silicon atoms, so only half of the four oxygens "belong" to each silicon. The resulting formula for silica is thus SiO2, not SiO4.
The simplest & most abundant silicate mineral in the Earth's crust is quartz (SiO2). All other silicates have silica + impurities. Many silicates have a significant percentage of aluminum (the aluminosilicates).
Feldspar is a group of common silicate minerals. Feldspars are silicate minerals having one-fourth of all the silicons in SiO2 replaced by aluminum (Si4O8 to (Si3Al)O8). When this happens, the (Si3Al)O8 has a -1 electric charge. The charge is satisfied by the addition of one or more metals. The (Si3Al)O8- structure has relatively large holes, and the only metals that tend to stay in these holes are: K (potassium), Na (sodium), Ca (calcium), Cs (cesium), Ba (barium), Sr (strontium), and Pb (lead). Of these, K & Na & Ca are the most common metals that enter the matrix. Sometimes, several different metals enter the structure, resulting in "garbage can minerals".
Chemical analyses of feldspars show that they range in composition from K-feldspar to Na-feldspar and from Na-feldspar to Ca-feldspar. Mineralogists have thus established two "families" of feldspars. There is no chemical gradient between K-feldspar and Ca-feldspar.
The sodium- and calcium-feldspars are called plagioclase ("plag" for short). Six different mineral names are available for the plagioclase feldspars: albite, oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, bytownite, and anorthite. Albite is ~pure sodium feldspar (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite is ~pure calcium feldspar (CaAl2Si2O8). The other mentioned minerals are plagioclase feldspars having a mix of sodium and calcium. The pure end-members are whitish-colored. The plagioclase feldspars having a mix of sodium and calcium tend to be light gray to dark gray to mottled gray. Some have a spectacular play of color.
Seen here is a polished piece of labradorite plagioclase showing iridescent colors. This property is called labradorescence. Gem-quality samples are called spectrolite.
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Photo gallery of albite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=96
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Photo gallery of oligoclase:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2976
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Photo gallery of andesine:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=220
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Photo gallery of labradorite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2308
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Photo gallery of bytownite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=815
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Photo gallery of anorthite:
Cataloguing some of my treasures (costume jewellery). Not worth anything really but I love them anyway.
Another one of my absolutely favourite pieces, I adore Labradorite!
Commissioned piece; recycled copper, sterling, and labradorite, with a couple of chinese crystals in the chain.
My attempt at the PIPA pendant. I don't follow directions well....and also needed a more of a "Celtic" feeling necklace for a customer.
A mineral is a naturally-occurring, solid, inorganic, crystalline substance having a fairly definite chemical composition and having fairly definite physical properties. At its simplest, a mineral is a naturally-occurring solid chemical. Currently, there are over 5800 named and described minerals - about 200 of them are common and about 20 of them are very common. Mineral classification is based on anion chemistry. Major categories of minerals are: elements, sulfides, oxides, halides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, and silicates.
The silicates are the most abundant and chemically complex group of minerals. All silicates have silica as the basis for their chemistry. "Silica" refers to SiO2 chemistry. The fundamental molecular unit of silica is one small silicon atom surrounded by four large oxygen atoms in the shape of a triangular pyramid - this is the silica tetrahedron - SiO4. Each oxygen atom is shared by two silicon atoms, so only half of the four oxygens "belong" to each silicon. The resulting formula for silica is thus SiO2, not SiO4.
The simplest & most abundant silicate mineral in the Earth's crust is quartz (SiO2). All other silicates have silica + impurities. Many silicates have a significant percentage of aluminum (the aluminosilicates).
Feldspar is a group of common silicate minerals. Feldspars are silicate minerals having one-fourth of all the silicons in SiO2 replaced by aluminum (Si4O8 to (Si3Al)O8). When this happens, the (Si3Al)O8 has a -1 electric charge. The charge is satisfied by the addition of one or more metals. The (Si3Al)O8- structure has relatively large holes, and the only metals that tend to stay in these holes are: K (potassium), Na (sodium), Ca (calcium), Cs (cesium), Ba (barium), Sr (strontium), and Pb (lead). Of these, K & Na & Ca are the most common metals that enter the matrix. Sometimes, several different metals enter the structure, resulting in "garbage can minerals".
Chemical analyses of feldspars show that they range in composition from K-feldspar to Na-feldspar and from Na-feldspar to Ca-feldspar. Mineralogists have thus established two "families" of feldspars. There is no chemical gradient between K-feldspar and Ca-feldspar.
The sodium- and calcium-feldspars are called plagioclase ("plag" for short). Six different mineral names are available for the plagioclase feldspars: albite, oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, bytownite, and anorthite. Albite is ~pure sodium feldspar (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite is ~pure calcium feldspar (CaAl2Si2O8). The other mentioned minerals are plagioclase feldspars having a mix of sodium and calcium. The pure end-members are whitish-colored. The plagioclase feldspars having a mix of sodium and calcium tend to be light gray to dark gray to mottled gray. Some have a spectacular play of color.
Seen here is a polished piece of labradorite plagioclase showing iridescent colors. This property is called labradorescence. Gem-quality samples are called spectrolite.
---------------
Photo gallery of albite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=96
---------------
Photo gallery of oligoclase:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2976
---------------
Photo gallery of andesine:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=220
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Photo gallery of labradorite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2308
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Photo gallery of bytownite:
www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=815
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Photo gallery of anorthite:
For more information about my craft, please visit my profile page.
LUMINOSITY is a fascinating 130 carat handcrafted labradorite pendant that I created swirling and shaping antique bronze toned copper wire by hand, adding peridot, lapis lazuli and topaz chips to enhance the natural beauty, shape and colors of the stone. This labradorite is one of the most vivid of my labradorites. It is a rare labradorite as it flashes many different colors such as a beautiful royal blue, bright yellow, orange and lime green when viewed from different angles in the light. This stone is truly a beautiful gift from Mother Nature. The combination of the elegant, swirly antique bronze wire setting, together with the earthy and dramatic gemstone creates a very versatile piece of wearable art that can be worn with a party dress or your favorite casual jeans. Stylish Care More pendants are sure to add a touch of natural drama to your fashion wardrobe
It measures 1 1/2" across and 3" top to tip including the bail.
The bail is designed to be large enough to accommodate your favorite chain, choker or cord. A 17" antique bronze chain is included.
All purchases are nicely packaged in a gift box.
The following metaphysical healing properties have been collected from various sources. For more specific information please contact an experienced Crystal Therapist.
Labradorite's healing effects:
Labradorite (also called Spectrolite sometimes) is a considered by mystics to be a stone of transformation. It is said to clear, balance and protect the aura. It is purported to help provide clarity and insight into your destiny, as well as attract success. It is used in metaphysics for dream recall, and finding ways to use dreams in daily life. Mystically, energies of stress and anxiety are reduced by labradorite. It helps to stimulate the imagination, enhancing intuition, psychic abilities, strength of will, strengthens and protects the aura. Helps us to understand the destiny that we have chosen.
Physical: Labradorite is said to increase intuition, psychic development, esoteric wisdom, help with subconscious issues, and provide mental illumination. Labradorite is associated with the solar plexus and brow chakras.
I used a gorgeous labradorite cabochon as the focal element for this luxurious cuff bracelet. The adjustable aluminum cuff base was wrapped with a layer of fabric interfacing and then topped with stunning purple dupioni silk which has an iridescent look. Dupioni silk has a thick weave with slubs in it, and in this case the threads are teal and purple, so while it looks purple most of the time, at certain angles you can see the gleaming teal threads show through. I created a bezel around the cabochon using tiny matte gold seed beads, and then added a ropelike border in tiny shiny gold beads accented with matte teal raku beads. Leaves made of plum ultrasuede provided a whimsical, nature reference. I accented each leaf tip with metalic gold acrylic paint and added tiny clusters of tiny shiny gold seed beads to each leaf. The inside of the cuff is lined with moss green ultrasuede, which is very soft and comfortable against the skin.
I used a standard cuff form designed for the average woman's wrist. The cuff can be gently squeezed to loosen or tighten as needed. The beauty of these simple cuff forms is the lack of closure. It can be difficult to work a clasp or toggle on a bracelet, so this style of cuff is a nice alternative.
Light simple silver spirals, hammered, polished, and adorned with labradorite rondelles.
Length - 4.5 cm (1 3/4 ")
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Shopping with my daughter and son-in-law at an antique store a couple of weeks ago when they visited, I was attracted to a case with many unusual stones. I am attracted to stones anyway, but these particular stones stopped me in my tracks. I was told they were Labradorite, a gemstone first found in Labrador in 1770. It is a variety of plagioclase feldspar and is found in many other places besides Labrador, including Canada, Mexico, the USA and Ukraine. I couldn't remember ever seeing one before and knew I had to add one to my collection. This beauty was chosen as a memento of the day spent with my wonderful "kids." It now sits on my drawing table and gives me inspiration along with the black stone I posted yesterday. Who knows where this stone will lead me?
Interesting information about Labradorite may be found here:
'Moonstones and labradorite': design image detail (part design only). Moonstones and labradorite on gold filigree on a chrysoprase, turquoise and lapis lazuli background. Entry in the Spoonflower Geodes and Gemstones Contest. Oil on canvas. © Su Schaefer 2014
See the whole design as fabric here.
Moonstones and labradorite are two of the less well known semi-precious gemstones and both have wonderful color transformations - sitting on the cusp of white-pink-blue and blue-green-gray colors (although labradorite also comes in a pink version and its chemical composition is so complex it has many other colors to offer in different circumstances). Both are really too soft to wear in everyday jewelery so I like to think that fabric would be the perfect venue for them. This is of course, a complete fantasy!
[Moonstones and labradorite_detail]
Day 18
Some quick and dirty shots in the morning of some jewellery. Not my best but it will do as they became my safeties for the day.
Pentax da 50/1.8, k-s3
sold!
Two interwoven strands of fine quality labradorite briolettes mixed with blue sapphire rondelles, with a sterling clasp, 16.75 inches.
The flashing, iridescent grey/blue/green/gold labradorite stones rhyme with the steadfast royal blue of the sapphires. Together these two natural beauties accent a playful, self-assured femininity.