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labradorite

1 9.6

A mineral with shiny blue and green flashes often used as a gemstone

noun
/ˌlæbrəˈdɔːraɪt/

Specialized

: labradorita

Collectors prize labradorite for its striking flashes of blue and green.

Examples

The necklace was made of beautiful labradorite.
She admired the necklace, which featured a large labradorite pendant that shimmered in the light.
The jeweler set a polished labradorite into a silver ring for a unique look.
I bought a pair of labradorites for my collection.
The jeweler showcased a beautiful pendant made of labradorite that shimmered with hints of blue and green.
Her favorite gemstone is labradorite because of its stunning play of colors that change with the light.
The bracelet was crafted from polished labradorite, displaying its characteristic iridescent hues.

Surface Forms

labradorite singular

labradorites plural

Morphology

labradorite = Labrador (semi-transparent) = labrador + ite

Derived from the place name 'Labrador' plus the mineral-forming suffix '-ite'; the formation is clear in form though the place-based origin and technical suffix may not be fully transparent to lower-level learners.

Etymology

Labradorite is named after the place Labrador in Canada where people first found the mineral, and the ending -ite means 'stone'. So labradorite is like a 'stone from Labrador', which helps explain why the word refers to a gem that flashes blue and green light.