Labradorite has a unique characteristic - it turns sea blue, gold and green in bright light from grey or dark green colour if viewed in dim light. It is a variety of feldspar which is found in igneous rocks.

Originally it was found along the coast of Labrador in 1805. Today, it is also found in Newfoundland, other parts of Canada, the Ukraine, the Ural mountains, and the USA.

Labradorite is generally cut with a flat surface to highlight the flashes of colour. The iridescence (or labradoresence) of Labradorite is caused by thin parallel layers (called lamellae) within the stone. These lamellae result from the separation and layering that takes place when the stone cools during formation. The layers created then reflect and refract the light that enters the stone.

According to an Eskimo legend, the Northern Lights were once imprisoned in the rocks along the coast of Labrador, and then a wandering Eskimo warrior found them and freed most of the lights with a mighty blow of his spear. Some of the lights were still trapped within the stone however, and thus we have today the beautiful mineral known as labradorite.