What Is Labradorite Good For?
Famous for its facade of shifting colors like gold, green, and peacock blue, labradorite is a rising star in the crystal-loving community. Its level of appeal might even make you ask, what is labradorite good for?
Already equipped with a reputation for powerful healing, magical, and transformational properties, the uses of labradorite don't end there. It's a stone that affects all aspects of life, from spiritual and emotional, to the physical body. Labradorite can help you tap into your intuition and core truth. It's used for calming digestive upset and alleviating anxiety. Even the realm of creativity and imagination can be supported with the use of this stone. As you can see, labradorite's luminescent quality truly reflects its extensive resume.
A condensed answer to the question, "What is labradorite good for?" would be magic, personal transformation, connecting with guides and angels, revealing unconscious belief patterns, emotional healing, protection from negativity and psychic draining, and interdimensional awareness.
History and Structure
Labradorite is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate called a plagioclase feldspar mineral, with a hardness of 6 to 6.5. Its crystal structure is triclinic, meaning that it has three unequal axes crossing at oblique angles.
In 1770, when Moravian missionaries first discovered the stone in Canada, they named it after the peninsula where it was found, Labrador. Since then, it's also been unearthed in Madagascar, Russia, Mexico, and the United States.
During the 1940s, labradorite stones were found in Finland as well. These were named Spectrolite due to their expression of the entire color spectrum. Then Larvikite, a silvery gray and blue labradorite, was discovered in Scandinavia and Nuumite, another close cousin, in Greenland.
In Maine, the Red Paint People were using labradorite over a thousand years ago, and once discovered in Norway and Russia, it became widely popular in 18th and 19th century Europe.
The Legend of Frozen Fire
One myth of the Inuit peoples is that labradorite fell from the Aurora Borealis. They saw it as a guide that could move between earth and heavenly realms and provide the bearer with protection.
Another legend speaks of the northern lights as having originally been trapped within the stones on the Labrador peninsula. The tip of a warrior's spear sent many of the lights rocketing into the sky, but some remained on earth.
The lore around labradorite all seems to stem from the shimmering quality of the stone's exterior. The scientific name for this metallic luster is "schiller" but labradorite received its own name, labradorescence, to reflect the "frozen fire" beneath the surface.
What Does the Labradorite Stone Signify?
When asking "what does the labradorite stone signify", you can find the answer by studying the actual stone. The powerful nature of labradorite is reflected in the many themes it represents.
- Magic - labradorite is first and foremost known as the stone of magic
- Transformation - it symbolizes positive change and personal empowerment
- Protection - this stone is highly associated with protection from negativity
- Strength - through unity beyond apparent duality and the embodiment of one's true potential
The most important piece of symbolism, however, is actually embodied in the visual presentation of the stone itself. Despite the initial impression of the stone being dark and gray, its rainbow of hues comes into view when held in the light.
This beautiful effect mirrors its deepest message - when you look at life from the right angle, there is always light to be found in the darkness.
What Is Labradorite Good For?
The uses and benefits of the labradorite gemstones cover a spectrum as wide as its color scheme. It can provide fierce support in all aspects of life and help you with everything from stress relief to increased spiritual perception. Let's dive into all the known labradorite uses.
Labradorite Properties
The general properties of labradorite start with its ability to aid the wearer in tapping into their creativity and imagination. It's ideal for those working in artistic fields like writers, painters, and musicians, or for those simply looking for a little inspiration.
Labradorite encourages confidence by relieving fears and insecurities. Its adventurous energy makes it the perfect travel companion. The stone can even encourage the pursuit of goals on a practical level, reminding us that no dream is too big.
If you're looking to break unhealthy habits and set intentions for the future, this stone can increase motivation and determination. It can also help you tap into and express your authentic inner truth.
Labradorite can show us how to transcend limitations, whether personally or societally imposed. It offers us the energy of freedom and helps us take ownership of who we are and what we want in life. Labradorite motivates us to shoot for the stars.
Labradorite Metaphysical Properties
Seeing as labradorite is a very spiritual stone, there's quite a list of labradorite metaphysical properties. As we mentioned earlier, labradorite is the gemstone most associated with magic. It can awaken the awareness of one's inner magical abilities in those who wear or carry it.
For the sake of clarity, we don't mean "magic" in the way of wand-waving tricks. Instead, our usage of the term refers to intuitive and mental abilities, including astral travel, psychic reading, clairvoyance, past-life recall, and communication with spirits and higher guides.
These subtle workings of our inner and higher selves are often labeled as "magic" in modern culture. This is due to the sense of mystery that arises from the incredible synchronicities and opportunities we experience as a result of being in alignment with our Divine purpose. Working with labradorite can encourage such an alignment.
When it comes to protection, as was also touched upon above, labradorite can actually seal tears in your auric field. It strengthens your personal energetic signature and can stop negative energy from attaching to you. It also prevents others from draining your positivity.
Labradorite is a true ally in the realm of transformation and spiritual growth. It shows us how to embrace change. If you're trying to uncover subconscious belief systems that no longer serve you, this stone can help you see past overwhelming emotions to the root cause of such beliefs.
Labradorite Healing Properties
With such a large repertoire, it should come as no surprise that there are also labradorite healing properties. Although absolutely not a replacement for necessary medical attention, one method of using the stone for physical ailments is by actually taping it to whichever body part needs healing.
Physical conditions that benefit from using labradorite include:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Digestive disorders
- Lung/respiratory problems
- Metabolic disorders
- PMS and menstrual pain
- Stress-induced illness
- General pain
- Eye and brain disorders
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Addictions
- Toxicity
Underlying labradorite's healing properties is its capacity for revealing the nature of any so-called "mystery illness". It also amplifies the effects of healing thoughts and wishes.
Dreams and Sleep
You might be wondering, is labradorite good for sleep? Capable of both activating and calming the nervous system, labradorite isn't necessarily known for aiding sleep.
Since it does have the ability to guide you into a deeper dream state, however, it could theoretically help you find a deeper sleep and remember your dreams.
Labradorite and Chakras
Chakras are described as the energy centers throughout your body. The seven main ones are vertically located along your torso, starting at the base of the spine and ending at the top of the head. They correspond with different organs, body parts, elements, emotions, and properties.
Although labradorite is associated with all of the chakras due to its wide color spectrum, its connection to self-expression, intuition, and the higher realms relates it more closely with the 5th, 6th, and 7th; the throat, third eye, and crown chakras. In Hindu teachings, these are called Vishuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara.
Harmonizing Stones
Labradorite works quite well with most other feldspar minerals. These stones bring their own signature to the table and include:
- Moonstone - known as a sister stone to labradorite, it brings in Divine Feminine energy and emotional balance
- Sunstone and Golden Labradorite - help with manifestation and opening the lower chakras during ritual practices
- Spectrolite - works to enhance one's awareness of higher dimensions
Much the same way certain vitamins and/or minerals are more efficiently absorbed when taken together, using the above stones in tandem with labradorite can enhance its effectiveness.
Relations
Being a feldspar, one of the most abundant minerals on earth, labradorite shares the family name with many other stones. A few of these are:
- Spectrolite - a rare variety of labradorite originally from Finland that doesn't just exhibit the typical blue, green, and gold color spectrum, but also yellows, oranges, and reds
- Andesine - a newer gemstone found in the Andes Mountains in 2003, it comes in reddish-orange colors with traces of green and yellow and could be a color-enhanced variety of labradorite
- Larvikite - found in Norway, this feldspar has a subtle, silvery-blue sheen similar to labradorite without the rainbow
Labradorite in Jewelry
Besides the beautiful array of golds, greens, deep blues, and even violets that make labradorite so desirable in the world of adornment, wearing it in different locations can actually amplify different qualities. It's available in all sorts of cuts, shapes, and sizes.
Pendants
Labradorite pendants are the most common form of jewelry made with this stone. Wearing one of these can center you not just in your own power and confidence, but also in the awareness of the multiple layers of reality.
A necklace can enhance the protective traits of labradorite as well, along with the capacity for expressing your personal truth. This is due to the proximity of the gem to your throat and heart chakras.
Rings
Worn in a ring, labradorite increases magical sensitivity. This is to say it might bring you more in touch with your intuition, creativity, and capacity for spiritual understanding.
The constant visual also acts as a reminder of your limitless potential. This could even help motivate you towards accomplishing every day goals and living a fulfilling life.
An engagement ring made of labradorite or another colored gemstone, for example, could be a fun new take on a traditional theme. The labradorite properties described above can support a deeper connection between partners. Not to mention being stunningly unique!
Earrings
Labradorite earrings can specifically enhance your ability to "hear" and communicate with angels and higher guides. If you're looking for heavenly input, this might be the perfect place for your labradorite gemstone.
Bracelets
Labradorite bracelets, and anklets for that matter, especially when combined with Moonstone, can invoke strong Goddess energy. This will help you tap into your inner Divine Feminine.
Caring For Your Labradorite Stone
Despite being quite hard, labradorite can still scratch easily. To keep it in brilliant condition for years to come, you'll want to take the necessary caretaking steps.
When it comes to the stone itself, do not use any coarse brushes or metal cleaning instruments on the surface. You can either wash it gently in soap and water or simply wipe it with a polishing cloth.
Labradorite can also wear down over time if constantly exposed to things like saltwater, dirt, and sand. During adventures, try to put your labradorite in a safe place to avoid any possible damage.
With energetic cleansing, most stones love moonlight. Many crystal enthusiasts will place gemstones in a bowl of water (this amplifies the moon's rays) under each full moon to draw out negative energies and impurities.
Being that protection is one of labradorite's traits, regular cleansing is encouraged. Otherwise, negative energies absorbed by the stone could cloud its abilities.
Labradorite Affirmation
No matter what form it takes, if labradorite is showing up for you, it's doing so for a reason. It calls you to journey inward. To recognize the light and beauty within you and persevere despite the darkness. It reminds us of the magic that is constantly at work in our lives, should we only look for it.
An affirmation you can use while wearing or working with labradorite is:
"I trust in the process of life and am open to the mysterious and magical gifts of the Universe."
The Uses and Benefits of The Labradorite Gemstones
As you can see, labradorite is a multi-faceted stone. Its potent spiritual, emotional, and healing properties have been in wide use for at least a thousand years.
What is Labradorite good for? Well, now that we've answered that question, we hope you'll discover its magical qualities for yourself! Leave a comment below and tell us what you love about it, or explore our jewelry guide for more information on gems and jewelry 101.