labradorite

lab-ra-dor-ite · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A type of feldspar mineral that displays a distinctive iridescent play of colors (labradorescence), typically in blues, greens, and golds.

  2. 2.

    A gemstone cut from this mineral, prized for its optical properties.

Forms

plural: labradorites

Related words

See also: feldspar, mineral, moonstone
Synonyms: spectrolite

Etymology

Named after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, where it was first discovered in 1770, with the mineralogical suffix -ite.