Labradorite Meaning: The Stone of Magic and Transformation
Tilt a piece of labradorite towards the light and something magical happens. A stone that looked a quiet, smoky grey suddenly flashes electric blue, green, gold and even violet, as if someone has switched on a light inside it. It's no wonder this is my go-to stone for magic.
In this guide we explore labradorite's meaning and spiritual meaning, its properties and benefits, where that famous flash comes from, its chakras and zodiac signs, and how to wear and care for it.
| Colour | Grey to dark blue-grey, with flashes of blue, green, gold, orange and violet |
| Mineral family | Feldspar (plagioclase) |
| Hardness | 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale |
| Chakras | Throat, third eye and crown |
| Zodiac | Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius |
| Element | Water |
| Keywords | Magic, intuition, transformation, protection |
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Fancy carrying a little labradorite magic with you? Every piece is made in Cornwall, vegan and cruelty free.
What Is Labradorite?
Labradorite is a feldspar mineral, one of the most common families of minerals on Earth. What makes it anything but common is its play of colour, called labradorescence. Inside the stone, thin layers of slightly different feldspar are stacked together. When light enters, it bounces between those layers and the reflected waves interfere with each other, so only certain colours shine back out. Turn the stone a few degrees and the flash appears, shifts colour or vanishes completely.
Labradorite is named after Labrador in Canada, where Moravian missionaries found it on the Isle of Paul in 1770. It was known long before that, though. An Inuit legend tells of a warrior who found the northern lights trapped in the rocks of the coast and struck them with his spear to set them free. The lights that escaped became the aurora, and those left behind still glow in labradorite today. It is also found in Finland, Madagascar and Norway.
Labradorite Meaning
Labradorite is a stone of transformation. This multi-hued feldspar makes an ideal companion through change and uncertainty, imparting strength, perseverance and positive thinking. It is known for its power to make one feel elated for absolutely no reason, and for its ability to connect one to earth energies at the same time, which makes it the loveliest mingle of happiness and grounding.
Just as the stone hides its colours until the light hits it at the right angle, labradorite is said to reveal hidden gifts and potential in the people who wear it. It's a stone for new chapters, big leaps and becoming more fully yourself.
Labradorite Spiritual Meaning
Spiritually, labradorite is a true stone of magic. While its grounding energies are always present, it mostly connects with the upper chakras: throat, third eye and crown. It creates a clear path for communication of all kinds, heightens intuition and psychic abilities, and is said to reveal one's innate magical powers. Many witches and mystics keep a piece close for divination, tarot and moon rituals.
Labradorite is also known as a protection stone. It is said to form a shimmering shield around your aura, keeping your own energy in and unwanted energy out, which makes it a favourite for empaths and anyone who works closely with people. For more stones like it, see our guide to crystals for psychic abilities.
Labradorite Properties and Benefits
- Transformation: a supportive companion through change, endings and new beginnings.
- Intuition: associated with the third eye, for trusting your inner voice and noticing signs.
- Protection: traditionally used to shield the aura from negative energy.
- Joy and optimism: said to lift the spirits, sometimes for no reason at all.
- Grounding: keeps you connected to the earth while your head is in the stars.
- Self-expression: as a throat chakra stone, linked with speaking clearly and truthfully.
Labradorite Chakras and Zodiac Signs
Labradorite works mainly with the throat, third eye and crown chakras, the energy centres linked with communication, intuition and spiritual connection. Astrologically, it is most closely linked with Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius. Find the stones for your own sign in our zodiac crystal guide.
Types of Labradorite
- Classic labradorite: grey to blue-grey with blue and green flash, the stone most people picture.
- Spectrolite: a dark, highly colourful labradorite from Finland that can flash every colour of the rainbow.
- Rainbow moonstone: despite its name, this is a white labradorite with a soft blue shimmer. Try our rainbow moonstone silk necklace.
- Larvikite: a Norwegian rock rich in labradorite-like feldspar, with silvery blue flecks.
How to Use Labradorite
- Wear it: a labradorite necklace sits close to the throat chakra and keeps its magic with you all day. Browse our labradorite jewellery, from crescent moons to hand carved wolf necklaces, whales and bears.
- Meditate with it: hold a piece and slowly turn it in the light, letting the flash draw you inwards.
- Keep it for divination: place labradorite next to your tarot cards or on your altar during moon rituals.
- Display it: a polished labradorite freeform or sphere on a windowsill is a little piece of the northern lights at home. See our crystal freeforms and crystal balls and spheres.
- Pair it: labradorite with amethyst for intuition, or with moonstone for moon magic.
Is My Labradorite Real?
Real labradorite shows its flash only at certain angles, and the colour moves as you turn the stone. Glass imitations tend to shimmer evenly from every direction. Natural labradorite also usually has some lines, inclusions or darker patches, which are part of its charm.
Cleansing and Caring for Labradorite
At 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, labradorite is fine for everyday jewellery but can scratch or chip if knocked, so store it on its own in a soft pouch. Clean it with a soft cloth and a little warm soapy water, and avoid harsh chemicals and long soaks. To cleanse it energetically, use moonlight, sound or a selenite slab, then recharge it with our guide to charging crystals. Our guide to cleansing crystals covers every method.
Labradorite Gift Ideas
Labradorite makes a magical gift for anyone starting a new chapter, a witchy friend, or a Leo, Scorpio or Sagittarius. Our hand carved labradorite rose and labradorite sea turtle are two of our favourites, or browse our gift ideas. For a little guardian with the northern lights in its fur, try our labradorite wolf necklace, or see all our wolf necklaces.
Explore more stones in our guides to moonstone, amethyst and obsidian, or look up any stone in our A-Z Crystal Guide.
Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.
Labradorite FAQs
What is labradorite good for spiritually?
Labradorite is associated with magic, intuition, protection and transformation. It is linked with the throat, third eye and crown chakras and is a favourite for meditation, divination and times of change.
What does labradorite symbolise?
Labradorite symbolises transformation and hidden potential. Like the colours that appear only when the light is right, it is said to reveal the magic within.
What causes labradorite's flash?
The flash, called labradorescence, is caused by light reflecting between thin layers inside the stone. The reflected waves interfere with each other, so only certain colours shine back.
Who should wear labradorite?
Anyone drawn to it, especially those going through change, empaths, and Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius signs.
Can labradorite go in water?
A quick rinse is fine, but avoid long soaks and harsh chemicals. Moonlight, sound and selenite are gentler ways to cleanse it.
Is rainbow moonstone labradorite?
Yes. Rainbow moonstone is a white variety of labradorite, which is why it shares that beautiful blue shimmer.
Totally entrancing read! Labradorite’s spellbinding play of varieties has consistently fascinated me, yet finding out about its rich history and otherworldly properties adds an entirely different profundity to its excellence. How it’s associated with instinct and change is genuinely astounding. This article gives a great knowledge into the universe of Labradorite. Much obliged to you for sharing such significant data!"
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