Description
Labradorite Heart – Polished Feldspar Mineral Specimen
This polished Labradorite heart is a genuine mineral specimen crafted from natural labradorite, a feldspar mineral known for its distinctive internal optical effects and rich grey to dark base colour. The heart-shaped form highlights the stone’s natural structure and reflective colour flashes, making it both a striking mineral display piece and a collectible natural specimen.
Each crystal has been carefully selected for quality, colour, and natural visual appeal, ensuring that the mineral’s characteristic reflective sheen is clearly visible. The listing photographs show the exact Labradorite specimen you will receive, allowing you to see the natural colour variations, flash patterns, and polished finish before purchase.
The specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that the piece is a genuine mineral specimen. For full measurements and scale, please refer to the sizing information shown in the listing photographs.
Mineral Species and Geological Classification
Labradorite is a variety of plagioclase feldspar, specifically within the intermediate composition range of the plagioclase mineral series between albite and anorthite.
The mineral has the chemical composition (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈, representing a calcium–sodium aluminium silicate. Labradorite crystallises in the triclinic crystal system, typical of feldspar minerals.
A defining feature of labradorite is its optical phenomenon known as labradorescence, a reflective effect caused by microscopic layering within the crystal structure. When light enters the mineral and reflects between these layers, it produces vibrant flashes of colour that can include blue, gold, green, and occasionally orange tones.
These optical effects are not surface coatings but rather internal structural reflections within the mineral, which become especially visible when the stone is polished.
Colour, Optical Effects and Physical Properties
Labradorite is typically found with a dark grey, charcoal, or smoky base colour, with reflective flashes appearing when the stone is viewed at certain angles under light.
These flashes are caused by internal lamellar structures that scatter light in a phenomenon called interference diffraction. The polished surface of this heart carving helps reveal these flashes clearly when rotated in light.
Typical mineral properties include:
• Mineral Species: Labradorite (Plagioclase Feldspar)
• Chemical Formula: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
• Mineral Group: Feldspar – Plagioclase Series
• Crystal System: Triclinic
• Colour: Grey to dark grey with flashes of blue, green, gold, or multicolour
• Transparency: Opaque to translucent in thin areas
• Lustre: Vitreous when polished
• Mohs Hardness: Approximately 6–6.5
Feldspar minerals like labradorite also exhibit two directions of cleavage that intersect close to right angles, a typical structural characteristic of the mineral group.
Geological Formation and Occurrence
Labradorite forms primarily in igneous rocks, particularly mafic and intermediate compositions such as basalt, gabbro, and anorthosite. These rocks crystallise from molten magma during geological processes within the Earth’s crust.
Large deposits of labradorite occur in anorthosite massifs, where the rock is composed predominantly of plagioclase feldspar minerals. Over geological time, these deposits produce crystals suitable for cutting, polishing, and mineral collecting.
Because the optical effect of labradorescence depends on the internal crystal structure, each piece of labradorite displays unique reflective patterns and colour flashes.
Associated minerals in the geological environments where labradorite forms may include pyroxene, olivine, magnetite, amphibole, and other plagioclase feldspars.
Heart Shape and Collecting Appeal
The heart-shaped carving is a popular polished mineral form used to highlight the natural colours and internal optical effects of stones like labradorite. The smooth curved surfaces provide a wide reflective area that enhances the visibility of labradorescent flashes when viewed under light.
This shape makes the mineral suitable for display in mineral collections, decorative natural stone arrangements, gift giving, or geological study collections.
Because the reflective colours appear differently depending on lighting and viewing angle, labradorite pieces are often appreciated for their dynamic appearance and changing colour display.
In some cultural traditions, labradorite has been traditionally associated with symbolic meanings related to intuition or creativity, though these interpretations are cultural perspectives rather than scientifically established properties.
Authenticity and Specimen Details
• Mineral Species: Labradorite (Plagioclase Feldspar)
• Chemical Formula: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
• Mineral Group: Feldspar – Plagioclase Series
• Crystal System: Triclinic
• Colour: Grey with blue, green, or gold flash
• Optical Effect: Labradorescence
• Transparency: Opaque to translucent
• Lustre: Vitreous when polished
• Hardness: 6–6.5 Mohs
• Formation: Igneous rock environments including basalt and anorthosite
• Shape: Polished heart carving
• Authenticity: Genuine mineral specimen
• Included: Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card
• Exact Item: The Labradorite heart shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive
This Labradorite heart mineral specimen highlights the remarkable optical properties of plagioclase feldspar, offering a visually striking example of labradorescence and a distinctive addition to mineral collections or natural stone displays.
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