Labradorite
Photos Cochise College
Photos of Minerals
Geology Home Page
Labradorite
Photos Roger Weller, geology instructor
[email protected]
copyright
2008-R.Weller
labradorite-schiller
Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar with a
composition ranging from 50% to
70% albite feldspar
(the sodium end member of
the plagioclase family) and 50% to
70% anorthite (the calcium end
member).
One of the special identifying
characteristics of labradorite is a spectacular
display of
colors when the mineral is
viewed at certain angles; this property is
referred to as "schiller".
Schiller is largely
due to the interference of
light caused by the reflection from thin lamellar
inclusions of various
minerals. Blue and green are the most common colors, but
red, yellow,
and
gray are also common.
labradorite
1
Photo is copyright free for
non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.