Labradorite The Northern Lights in a Gemstone
Rock&Gem Magazine|September 2023
The northern lights, those glowing curtains of cyan, green, gold and magenta that brighten the night skies in the northern latitudes, are among nature's most stunning displays of color.
STEVE VOYNICK
Labradorite The Northern Lights in a Gemstone

The mineralogical phenomenon that best replicates this celestial splendor is labradorescence-the multicolored, subsurface, iridescent sheen that characterizes fine specimens of labradorite.

Labradorite's classic source-its geologic type locality, namesake, and the birthplace of its legends-is the remote coast of Labrador, the northern part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Labrador is named for the Portuguese mariner João Fernandes Lavrador who, in 1498, braved the region's subarctic climate to explore its rugged, deeply indented coast.

"FIRESTONE"

In 1771, Moravian missionary Jens Haven founded the coastal settlement of Nain in northern Labrador. Intrigued by the brightly colored stones displayed by the indigenous Inuit, Haven sent specimens to Germany where they became known as "Labrador Stein," and to England where they were called "Labrador stone" and "firestone."

As the first new mineral reported from what would become Canada, Haven's specimens, with their eye-catching colors, attracted great scientific attention in Europe. In 1780, German geologist Abraham Gottlieb Werner, unable to determine the composition of Labrador Stein, erroneously described it as a distinct mineral species.

The first clue toward understanding the chemistry of "firestone" came in 1820, when researchers described the plagioclase feldspar minerals albite (sodium aluminum silicate) and anorthite (calcium aluminum silicate). Soon afterward, French mineralogist François-Sulpice Bedant determined that the Labrador specimens were a type of feldspar with characteristics of both anorthite and albite and named them "labradorite."

PROPERTIES AND OCCURRENCE

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ROCK&GEM MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
This News is for the Birds
Rock&Gem Magazine

This News is for the Birds

The amazing range of the would-be birds!

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
Rock&Gem Magazine

CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE

California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Rock&Gem Magazine

HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL

Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
Rock&Gem Magazine

PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149

I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Copper Minerals: My Favorite

I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
Rock&Gem Magazine

OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE

The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Rock&Gem Magazine

Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones

Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
July 2024
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age

Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Black Range Amethyst
Rock&Gem Magazine

Black Range Amethyst

Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico

time-read
7 Minuten  |
July 2024
EQUINE Bling!
Rock&Gem Magazine

EQUINE Bling!

How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024