Labradorite
Labradorite belongs to the feldspar group. It is found in igneous rocks like basalt, norite and gabbro. It is famous for the iridescent effect caused by how light interacts with the structure of the stone. This effect displays all colors sometimes looking like a rainbow. Labradorite got its name from Labrador, Canada.
History
Missionaries from the Moravian Church, a German Protestant denomination, on the Isle of Paul near Nain in Labrador, Canada, discovered Labradorite in the 1770s.
At first, they called it “spectrolite” because of the range (spectrum) of colors in the flash of the stone. Later, the name was changed to Labradorite after the place where it was discovered.
In the early 1900s, Labradorite was discovered in other parts of the world as well, including Finland, Norway, Russia, China, The United States, Madagascar, and Australia.
In North America the Inuit people saw Labradorite as a divine gift. They made jewelry, tools, and weapons. They believed it to ward off evil spirits.
The Vikings believed it enhanced their vision at night and aided sea navigation.
The Celts believed Labradorite helped form a connection with the spirit realm and so they made amulets and talismans with it.
In ancient Greece, Labradorite was linked with the Hyperboreans, a mystical people said to be favored by the gods. They were believed to have discovered magical properties in the stone. Hyperborea died, but its beauty, power, and creativity were preserved in Labradorite that could give its owners a piece of the lost knowledge. There was a belief that the Labradorite would only help a worthy person. The stone would not help those deemed unworthy, and sometimes even did them harm.
Labradorite was revered as a sacred stone in ancient Babylon and was believed to be "the sight of the gods". They carried it in a special leather pouch close to the heart. Legend states that the stone’s power was unique to its wearer but once given to another the power was lost.
