Labradorite: The Northern Light Stone

Labradorite can be absolutely mesmerizing—and there are never two stones alike. With its shifting flashes of iridescent color, the stone seems almost otherworldly. No wonder this mystical appearance has inspired legends and captured imaginations for centuries.

It has a schiller effect, called “labradorescence”, a strong play of iridescent blue, green and/or yellow colors.

The Lights Within

Labradorite was first discovered in 1770 on the Isle of Paul, near Nain in Labrador, Canada. Named after the region, the stone quickly captured attention due to its unique optical effect known as labradorescence—a shimmering display of iridescent blues, greens, and golds that shift with the light.

However, the indigenous Inuit peoples of northern Canada had known of the stone long before Westerners took notice. According to Inuit legend, the Aurora Borealis were trapped in the rocky cliffs of the Canadian coast. The story goes that a warrior struck the stone with his spear, releasing the Celestial Lights, while some of the glow remained forever sealed within the stone. The Inuits believed that the spirits of their ancestors could be seen in the Northern Lights, and that these were a connection to the spirit world.

The Algonquin people, along with other indigenous groups, are thought to have used labradorite as early as the XIth century, carving it into ceremonial objects, tools, and adornments. The stone’s iridescent glow likely contributed to its mystical and spiritual importance.

Labradorite is a feldspar mineral named after its location of discovery in Labrador, Canada. It was discovered there in 1770 by missionaries.

A Stone Rediscovered

Labradorite gained popularity in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially among Scandinavian and Russian artisans, who appreciated its unique glow. It has long been associated with intuition, transformation, and spiritual protection in metaphysical traditions.

One of the most vivid forms of labradorite—spectrolite—was discovered much later, during World War II. While digging anti-tank obstacles in the Ylämaa region of Finland, soldiers uncovered a labradorite with an unusually intense and full-spectrum iridescence. This rare variety, now known as Finnish spectrolite, quickly became prized for its brilliant colors and is considered a national treasure.