Labradorite?

[pebbles]

Does anyone have a labradorite or know anything about them? Do they have good color or are they pale?

[jewelfreak]

I got a 2 ct or so in one of my mixed faceted kits. They come in all sorts of shades - some pale, some dark. There is a red variety you will see most often if you watch JTV and it can be anywhere from a peachy color to a deep red. A lot of times they will show banding or a swirl like pattern. There is also green, but you see that less, and even bi-colored sometimes. It's popularity is relatively new. Sometimes it is also called Andacine. It can be pretty valuable. It has a characteristic called labradorescence, which makes it look kind of irridescent, showing several shades of red, orange, and sometimes even goldish. Awesome stone! The peachy versions show some yellow and sort of glow almost as if a tiny flashlight was shinig around inside.

[pebbles]

I have my eye on a stone that is pale green with peachy tones in it. Is it a hard stone that can be set in a ring? Thanks for the info.

[beekeeper]

I recently bought a red labradorite, and it's gorgeous, not pale at all. The ones they point out when they are showing the gem parcels ... always look light and amost milky ... junk, thus their being in the parcels.

I've seen the green ones Pebbles (they are apparently much more rare than the red/orange. VERY pretty! If you find one, snatch it up. The labradorites in any color seem to sell out very quickly ... at least at JTV.

[mystylady]

I don't have any (yet!) but I've noticed the banding and swirls in the gems. They must look a lot better in person than they do on JTV's turntable. I'm not sure whether I like them or not. It seems like they're nice enough... I don't like the way they have the streaky look, at least on TV. They're supposed to be super rare. Aren't they from the Fluorite Family?

[beekeeper]

I bought 3 of them, sent 2 back ... because two of them had banding in them. The one I kept is cherry red, and solid color thru-out. GORGEOUS stone ... I hope they go up in price the way they are talking! Dawn said she has something like 28 of them ... lol ...

[Garnet333]

I have never seen a Labradorite I really liked until I went over to Ebay and found a gorgeous red one like Bee described.

8.15 ct 16 x 12 mm Red Andesine/Labradorite - Starting bid was $611.25 WOW!!!!

[beekeeper]

Thats a big stone (8.15) ... not sure what JTV would charge for a stone that large. They typically sell them for about $100 per carat ... I'd guess over $1000 if the color was good!

[Garnet333]

It was a gorgeous color.

Here is the link



SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMcgi.ebay.com/8-15-ct-16-x-12-mm-Red-Andesine-Labradorite_W0QQitemZ8922064798QQcategoryZ282QQrdZ 1QQcmdZViewItem

[beekeeper]

It's a bit on the orangy side ... and a bit light in color ... pretty though!

Mine is literally, cherry red ... I love it. I think I may have a ring made ...

[Garnet333]

Oh Bee, it sounds like you got yourself a beautiful stone. How are you going to have it set? White or yellow gold? Diamond accents?

[jewelfreak]

Labradorite is a 6-6 1/2 on the Moh's scale - just slightly softer than Tanzanite. You could definately have a ring made out of it - just don't wear it if you are going to be building a house that day!

As for the banding, my stone has a slight banding going through it. While some people find that undesireable, I personally think it is pretty - at least in my particular stone - and think that is unique and what the Labradorite look is all about.

[beekeeper]

building a house ... Garnet, jewelfreak doesn't know me very well does she!?!? ;-)

I'm a bit of a girly girl JF ... I'd decorate the house, not build it! lol ...

Not sure how I'd have the stone set ... probably yellow gold just because I think it would look better in the yellow metal. Maybe I'll do a pendant instead, since I live to leave my fingers open for diamonds and tanzanite! :-) I wouldn't want anything ordinary ... but I'm sure diamonds would be involved ... I even have old rings that I don't wear anymore that I could steal the diamonds from ... ooooh, I smell a PROJECT!

Garnet ... you do your tanzies and I'll do my labradorite! Deal?!?

[Garnet333]

Yes, its a deal. I really need to get that Tanzie bracelet made. I am still thinking white gold with diamond or white sapphire accent stones. Most likely will go for the white sapphire as its cheaper unless someone else has a better suggestion.

As for Bee building a house, that would NEVER happen, EVER LOL

[beekeeper]

I think the white sapphire is a good, less expensive choice Garnet. They do them alot over at ShopNBC and HSN as accent stones ... you really can't tell that they aren't diamonds ... they sparkle just as much, where topaz isn't as brilliant.

[pebbles]

Garnet, how about your namesake stone, garnets? You can find them in red or pink as in rhodolites. The are not too pricey and look good with purple stones.

[mystylady]

If you're looking for ideas, may I suggest White Zircons? They are even more sparkly than White Sapphires b/c of the high, high refractive index and are almost indistinguishable from Diamonds! Best of all, they're much more reasonably priced than White Sapphires! Of course I AM partial to Zircons, but rightly so, because of the fire they have. They're absolutely dazzling! A perfect rainbow comes packed inside every gem! Suh-Weet!

[Fezmydoodle]

Has anyone seen labradorite lately on the gemshow? I haven't seen it offered on TV, and was wondering if something is happening with this stone. Like maybe it's not the big deal they have made it out to be? If you buy the best quality it really is a pretty gem.

[francesca]

Dawn had a big selection on the weekend. The color was very brown, though. That may have been because it was a "clearance" SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM. ;' )

I don't know why they are working so hard to confuse the issue of Labradorite/Andessine. It's all the same stuff, just different names. HSN has the name game MORE than covered. No one else needs to go there.


I wouldn't hold my breath that it will be the next Paraiba. Just sayin'.