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Feldspar · Variety of Labradorite

Spectrolite

Displays the entire visible spectrum simultaneously — from violet and blue through green, yellow, orange, and red

Blue Green Multicolor
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.559 – 1.57
Birefringence
0.009
Luster
Vitreous
Pleochroism
None None; the optical phenomenon is labradorescence, caused by thin-film interference between crystal layers.
Fluorescence
Weak to inert.
Origins

Source localities

Finland Finland: Ylämaa spectrolite
Premium ★ Top Source

Classic source for spectrolite labradorite; the only commercially significant source.

92% est. supply
Worldwide Worldwide
Commercial

Broad worldwide occurrence or distribution.

8% est. supply
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Optical Adularescence and Labradorescence With the naked eye and loupe: a glowing light effect that appears to float… Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may…
Identification

Instruments used

10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification Hydrostatic Scale Measures specific gravity, works even on opaque stones High CRI Penlight Tiny concentrated white spot for field checks, inclusions, fire, and fractures
Specifications
Hardness
6 – 6.5 Mohs
Ref. index
1.559 – 1.57
Sp. gravity
2.68 – 2.72
Birefringence
0.009
Crystal system
Triclinic
Luster
Vitreous
Species
Labradorite (high-grade Finnish variety with full visible spectrum labradorescence)
Market price $ 40 – 800 / ct
Rarity Rare

Spectrolite is the premium Finnish labradorite showing the full visible spectrum; high-grade material from Ylämaa, Finland, is genuinely scarce.

Confused with
  • Labradorite Regular labradorite typically shows blue-green; spectrolite shows the full spectrum including vivid red and violet.
  • Moonstone Moonstone shows adularescence (floating blue glow), not labradorescence.
Expert tip

True spectrolite is only found in Ylämaa, Finland. The telltale sign is vivid red labradorescence — common labradorite rarely shows red. The dark matrix base (nearly black) contrasts dramatically with the full-spectrum iridescence.

Part of Labradorite →
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