Category: Gemstone Properties

Labradorite: A Stunning Stone of Change

3/19/2017

Labradorite Gemstone Properties

Labradorite is a beautiful semi-precious feldspar mineral with a stunning feature: it's full of color and flash!

The arrangement of atoms in the the internal structure of labradorite produces the bright play of color when it interacts with light. In the shade the stone appears gray or white, but when hit by sunlight the stone flashes a blue to rainbow iridescent sheen.

Labradorite is prized not only for its beauty but also for powerful metaphysical and healing properties. Labradorite is thought of as a stone of change and may help bring perseverance through times of uncertainty. If you are interested in labradorite gemstone properties, read on to learn more about the structure, varieties, and uses of labradorite.

Labradorite in action

What Creates Labradorite's Colorful Flash?

Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar mineral which displays a unique play of colors in direct light. This property is only found in labradorite so they named the effect "labradorescence". Very high grade labradorite often features a full rainbow from blue to gold and is called spectrolite. When labradorite has a white matrix or base rock it is called rainbow moonstone (more on that later).

Labradorite is made of common elements, but it is how the atoms are arranged that create it's beautiful interactions with light. All minerals have atoms which are arranged in a crystalline structure, but the layers in the internal structure of labradorite allow it to reflect certain colors. When hit by the sun, the stone lights up with a pearly blue to rainbow iridescence. In dim lighting it is dull gray or white, hiding its true beauty.

Polished labradorite and rainbow moonstones

Labradorite Uses and Metaphysical Properties

Labradorite has been used for many centuries for its beauty and healing properties. It is generally cut and polished, which helps brings out the colorful flashes. It is made into beads, cabochons, ornamental objects or even building stone. My parents just remodeled their bathroom, and got a giant labradorite slab for their bathroom counter-top instead of traditional marble!

Labradorite also is known for certain metaphysical healing properties. Labradorite is thought of as a stone of change. It may be useful to help bring strength and perseverance during significant events. It is also believed to reduce fears and insecurities while replenishing faith in one’s self and trust in the world around us. The flashes of color across the stone can help to remind one that things change, but strength is within.

More about Rainbow Moonstone...

The name rainbow moonstone is confusing, since another group of stones are also known as moonstone. True moonstones have an iridescent pearly sheen but lack the colored flashes of rainbow moonstone. True moonstone and labradorite are actually closely related as well. They are both part of the feldspar group of minerals, which also includes a naturally sparkly gem called sunstone. The feldspar family has some pretty good looking members!

True moonstone

Rainbow moonstone

Rainbow moonstone is actually used more commonly in jewelry than true moonstone. Due to its popularity people often erroneously use the term "moonstone" when referring to rainbow moonstone. Rainbow moonstone is associated with the moon and feminine energy. Rainbow moonstone has been found in pieces dating back to the Roman Empire. Since rainbow moonstone is a variety of labradorite, all of labradorite's properties apply to it as well.

Labradorite and Rainbow Moonstone Jewelry

Flashy labradorite and rainbow moonstone gemstones make magically stunning jewelry. The pieces below combine elegant wire-work designs with these magical stones to create powerful gemstone jewelry. Each piece is carefully handcrafted with sterling silver wire, enhancing and showcasing the stones in style.

Find the perfect labradorite necklace or earrings for you in the Storefront at Kosmic Krystals.

A New Collection of Labradorite Jewely is Coming Soon!

A whole new selection of labradorite wire work jewelry from Kosmic Krystals will be unveiled by May 2017.

Join the Kosmic Krystals' Community to be notified when the collection release date is set so you don't miss out. As a community member you will also receive early access to shop the collection.

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Four April Birthstones - Stunning Alternatives to Diamond

4/5/2016

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Is Diamond really the only April birthstone?

Are Diamonds the only birthstone for April? Definitely not!

If you've looked into birthstones, you likely found that there really isn't any one "correct" birthstone for each month. Ancient, traditional, and modern birthstone calendars have been developed by different cultures or organizations over the centuries. You actually have quite a few options to find a birthstone that you connect with, and can afford! April is an important month to consider alternative birthstones, as the "traditional" birthstone for April is diamond, a notoriously costly gem (and not just financially). This article covers the properties of the four alternative April Birthstones, some with ancient roots, giving you numerous other stunning choices..

Diamonds often leave a trail of conflict, blood, and environmental degradation in their wake. In addition to the tragedy around them, the price of diamonds is kept high by regulating the amount of diamonds that are released to the market. Diamonds are not really as rare as we were taught to believe, and their marketing is carefully calculated to cultivate desire for the gem. Due to the ethical, moral, and financial issues with diamond, many people look for alternative to diamonds for April birthstones.

This post details each of the four alternative April birthstones:

Sapphire
Opal
White Topaz
Quartz

Here you will learn the geologic and metaphysical properties of each April birthstone. Some of these options come from ancient traditions and were used as April birthstones in certain cultures long before diamond. Multiple modern alternative birthstones have also been added to modern birthstone calendars for their similarity to diamond. These stones bring clear shine and sparkle at a much lower moral and financial cost.

The History of Ancient, Traditional, and Modern Birthstones

Numerous birthstone systems have been in existence for thousands of years. For example, the Ayurvedic birthstone calendar from ancient India dates back to 1500 B.C. It has long been believed that birthstones bring good fortune to wearers. Many ancient cultures including the Hebrew, Arabic, Hindu, Roman, Italian, Russian, Polish and Spanish all had their own birthstone calendars. Many of these calendars had similarities due to connectivity between cultures, as well as differences due to gemstone availability or prominence in certain regions.

These ancient calendars have had some influence on traditional and modern birthstone calendars. In 1912 the National Association of Jewelers compiled the "traditional" birthstone calendar in an attempt to standardize the birthstone systems, as well as to provide gems that they felt were accessible to everyday Americans.

Other jewelry associations, like the American Gem Trade Association, have since developed "modern" birthstone calendars by adapting the 1912 list. Some modern calendars add more birthstone choices to some months, many of which are lower cost alternatives with visual similarities to the traditional choices. The more recently added stones are sometimes referred to as "alternative" or "secondary" birthstones, as are ancient birthstones that have nearly been forgotten. Regardless of the term, you may end up feeling more connected with alternative birthstone choices rather than your primary traditional birthstone.

Alternative April Birthstones

On most of the big semi-"official" birthstone calendars diamond is often listed as the only April birthstone. However, this may have more to do with diamond marketing than history.

There are two gemstones from ancient traditions that were used as April birthstones in certain cultures long before diamond. There are also some modern alternative birthstones for April which were added for their visual similarity to diamond, bringing clear color and eye-catching sparkle at a much lower cost.

Sapphire

Sapphire was actually the April birthstone in the old Roman, Italian, Russian, Hebrew and Arabic calendars. Sapphire is a precious variety of the mineral corundum, which comes in a wide variety of colors. The most popular and recognizable color of sapphire is a brilliant blue, but you can choose from pink, orange, yellow, black, or even white sapphire.

Metaphysically, sapphire is believed to bring inner peace and serenity, and to assist with releasing unwanted thoughts and mental tension. It is thought to help release depression and frustration, while promoting self-expression. Blue sapphire specifically is associated with spiritual truth and growth.

Opal

Opal is the birthstone for April in Tibetan birthstone calendar, which is sometimes referred to as the Mystical birthstone calendar. Opal is known for its stunning flashes of colors, a visual spectacle caused by interactions between light and tightly packed balls of silica. Opal is a delicate gem, and is technically a "mineraloid", not a mineral, because it is "amorphous", meaning it has no crystal structure.

The Romans held this birthstone of April to be a symbol of hope and purity. Ancient Greeks believed it brought the power of foresight to it's owner. In today's metaphysical circles opal is prized for its fine vibration and it's reflective properties. It is thought to absorb and amplify ones thoughts, feelings, and characteristics, and to help bring them to the surface.

White Topaz

White topaz seems to have little historical claim to fame as an April birthstone, but it is used as one for its visual similarity to diamond. White topaz is promoted by countless jewelry companies as an alternative April birthstone and alternative wedding ring stone for its similarity to diamond. The white topaz used in jewelry is often cut and faceted to reveal a brilliant sparkle.

Metaphysically white topaz is believed to help the wearer be more aware of their thoughts and actions, and the effects that these have. It is also though to help remove trapped and stagnant energy to help the wearer move forward.

Quartz Crystal

Quartz is another alternative April birthstone recently chosen for its clear color and similarity to diamond. Clear quartz, sometimes called rock crystal, has also been designated in Britain as a birthstone for April. Quartz gemstones also come in colored varieties, specific impurities in quartz' crystal structure create yellow citrine gemstones or purple amethyst crystals. However, when using Quartz as an April birthstone the classic clear quartz is ideal. You can wear rough crystal points, or sparkly faceted quartz gemstones.

Faceted Quartz Gemstones, and Alternative April Birthstone

Known as the "Universal Crystal", quartz is a popular and powerful stone. Metaphysically, quartz is thought to amplify, balance, store, focus, and transmit energy. It is also a stone of clarity, and can increase inspiration and creativity. It is also useful to improve concentration and retention of knowledge. Even today the powerful vibrations of quartz crystals are used in electronics, crystal healing, and rituals.

Quartz Variety: Herkimer Diamonds

An special alternative April birthstone from the quartz family is Herkimer Diamond. Herkimer diamonds are not diamonds at all, but are unique quartz crystals from Herkimer County, NY. Their name bears the term "diamond" because they form as double terminated crystals, giving them the physical shape of a diamond with points at each end. The are prized in metaphysical circles for spiritual properties.

Herkimer Diamond, an Alternative April Birthstone

Herkimer diamonds are considered the most powerful of quartz crystals. It is also thought to have a crystal memory that can store information, as do some other quartz crystals. This really isn't too crazy an idea considering that microchips use a component of quartz (silicon) as a semi-conductor in computer chips!

There are numerous options for birthstone for April, each with varying degree of historic roots and a multitude of metaphysical properties. What is really important when it comes to jewelry is wearing a stone that YOU love and are drawn to. You have many options to find an April birthstone with a style, history, and properties that you connect with.

Alternative April Birthstones: Opal, Sapphire, Quartz, and White Topaz.

Visit Kosmic Krystals to see the elegant jewelry with your favorite gemstones.

Intricate yet tasteful wire jewelry with a fantasy flair, designed to bring out your inner magic.

Kosmic Krystals designs gemstone jewelry with an enchantingly elegant style for unique women.

Visit Kosmic Krystals