Description
Spectrolite is a Finnish gemstone with specific characteristics and effects. Spectrolite is the Finnish variant of labradorite, found at the same latitude as labradorite, but on the European side of the ocean. The play of colors is more pronounced than with labradorite and occurs in all shades of green and blue. The stone has a protective effect; it wards off negativity from outside. Spectrolite exhibits a richer color palette than labradorite (which only shows shades of blue-gray-green) and high labradorite intensity. Spectrolite was initially a brand name for material mined in Finland, but is sometimes incorrectly used to describe labradorite when a richer display of colors is present, regardless of location: for example, labradorite with the spectrolite play of colors has also been reported from Madagascar. The difference between Finnish Spectrolite and other labradorites is that Finnish Spectrolite's crystals have a significantly stronger coloration than other labradorites, caused by the black base color of Spectrolite feldspar; Other labradorites usually have the transparent base color. Spectrolite is often cut as a lapidary cabochon, similar to regular labradorite, to enhance its effect and is used as a gemstone.
