The Ultimate Buying Guide for Labradorite Gemstone Beads

The popular gemstone variety called Labradorite is gaining popularity all over the world for its stunning look and distinct features. This precious gemstone bead is used for making different pieces of jewelry like necklaces, pendants, earrings, anklets, bracelets, etc.

These breathtaking Labradorite gemstone beads have become a desirable part of jewelry making due to their stunning looks and unique qualities.  

This article throws light on everything you’d need to know about the labradorite gemstone bead and how to choose and identify the original, best-quality Labradorite beads.

So, what exactly is Labradorite, and why is it famous?

Labradorite is a unique variety of gemstone beads that belongs to the feldspar family. The stone has a mystic appearance and usually comes in a mix of bright and beautiful colors such as green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. Labradorite gemstone sparkles in the light and can be recognized in a wink.

Labradorite is famous for its unique iridescent characteristic, which makes the stone have a glittery shine and lovely look.  Also, the gemstone is known for its healing properties of physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Formation & source of Labradorite

Labradorite is formed and found in different types of rocks like igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. While the mystic stone was first discovered in Labrador, Canada, from where it gets its name. It is now found and mined in the regions of Finland, Norway, Madagascar, Australia, and Sri Lanka. Madagascar is the biggest source of Labradorite now.

Labradorescence- special & unique feature

While Labradorite gemstone beads are known for their unique quality and vibrant colors, they exhibit a striking effect called Labradorescence. The stones glow in mysterious orange, yellow, blue, and green lights when rotated, while they can be seen just as an ordinary black rock when viewed from one angle.

Properties & benefits of Labradorite gemstone beads

Labradorite is considered a magical gemstone that is said to improve or heal different aspects of health-from physical illnesses to spiritual and emotional needs. The gemstone has unique metaphysical and healing properties, some of which are mentioned below.

• Labradorite helps alleviate discomfort or stress, deal with depression, and carries excellent physical healing benefits.
• It is also believed to heal the respiratory system, the digestive and metabolic system, gout and arthritis, symptoms of rheumatism and PMS, as well as regulate high blood pressure.
• The Labradorite stones help improve your mental health by enhancing your mood and improving work efficiency.
• The stones carry a great value in the metaphysical world. Labradorite creates a shield from bad auras, evades negativity, and accumulates positive energy, hence considered a powerful protector of users.

Different variants of Labradorite

Labradorite gemstone bead has three major variants:

Spectrolite: It is a high-quality variant of labradorite and is found in Finland. Spectrolite displays a wide array of colors.

Andesine: Looks quite different but shares the same chemical composition as Labradorite. This gemstone is transparent and found in a reddish-orange color in facet cut.

Rainbow Moonstone: It is a unique gemstone variant of Labradorite with an iridescent quality and usually comes in blue.

Continue reading to learn more about buying the best-quality Labradorite gemstone beads.

How to identify if the Labradorite Beads are real

Only the original and best-quality Labradorite beads will make your jewelry piece stand unique and glowing.  

Consider the four important factors to identify if the beads are real.

Color: Unlike other gemstones, Labradorite displays unique colors when viewed from different angles. It is due to the iridescence effect created when light interacts with imperfections in the gemstone.

Labradorite gemstone beads are usually found in black, gray, brown, or dark brown body tones. However, they display shades of dark green, blue, and purple when rotated.

Cut: Not every stone is created or cut equal. Labradorite gemstone beads are usually the shape of the cabochon with smooth domes. They are also found in rounds, pears, ovals, and marquise cuts in contrast to angular cuts.

Labradorite beads show maximum iridescence when they are cut with care.

Clarity: Labradorite gemstones are generally opaque to translucent, while some of their variants are transparent. The little impurities in labradorite allow its play of colors. Spectral colors are displayed when the light hits these tiny impurity layers.

The opaque beads, which don’t display much labradorescence feature, are least preferred for making jewelry.

Carat Weight: Though the labradorite beads are found in various sizes, the carat weight doesn’t play a key role in determining its value. The exact measurement of the stone’s size is weighed with the length and breadth of the labradorite bead rather than its carat weight.

Check for these unique features to ensure you get a high-quality labradorite gemstone bead for your jewelry or other projects. Make sure the bead you choose has stunning labradorescence and translucent features, a good size, a face-up cut, and a high grade.

Cleansing Labradorite beads

A Labradorite gemstone measures 6-6.5 on the hardness scale, making it hard enough to use for jewelry making. Its internal layers help avoid breakage in extreme pressure or when the stone is struck hard. Due to this, Labradorite beads are mostly preferred to make pendants and earrings rather than bracelets and rings.

To clean your labradorite beads:

1.       Rub gently using an untreated cloth on the surface with soap and water.
2.       Avoid steamers or ultrasonic cleaners while cleaning labradorite beads.
3.       Store them in a soft cloth to prevent scratches on the surface.

How often should the Labradorite beads be cleaned?

The gemstones should be cleaned every two weeks to retain their maximum potential. Cleanse the beads gently in the lukewarm running water and dry them under the sun for about an hour. Though the tap water is sufficient, try to cleanse labradorite beads using natural, clean water.

Where to buy the best-quality Labradorite gemstone beads

At Bead Traders, we offer the best-quality labradorite gemstone beads for jewelry making. Buy these magical beads in different cuts as cabochons, strands, and connectors; there are ample varieties of Labradorite bead colors and stones for you to choose from. We also provide Labradorite beads with a wide range of shapes, including heart, bead, rectangle, cube, and other stunning shapes.