Is Labradorite Toxic? (ANSWERED, Plus More Labradorite Facts)

Is Labradorite Toxic? No, to our knowledge, labradorite is not toxic.

In the article that follows, you’ll learn more about the labradorite and why it is that it is not considered toxic.

Is Labradorite Toxic? (EXPLAINED)

Labradorite has no known toxicity levels.

Its chemical composition is (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)₄O_8.

Let’s break that down.

Na is sodium.

Swallow too much of it, and you might have heart trouble, but otherwise it’s harmless.

Ca is calcium, which is as harmless as a carton of milk.

Al and Si are aluminum and silicon respectively.

Pretty much all rocks have those two elements in some level.

O is oxygen, which is as harmless as the air you breathe.

Labradorite might harm you if you are quite foolish enough to swallow it or get hit in the head with a lump of it.

Otherwise, it is a perfectly harmless mineral.

If the specimen was found in a questionable area (nuclear testing, bombings or accidents, pollution from toxic materials, fallout, etc) you might want to run a Geiger counter just to make sure.

Other Things To Know About Labradorite

It is used to make countertops.

You can’t very well use a toxic mineral to create a surface that food will be prepared on.

Labradorite takes on a pearly sheen when polished, making it an attractive material to make small sculptures, tiles, sills and countertops.

Just remember to clean well after each use and your labradorite surface will be perfect for food preparation.

It was first found in Canada.

As the name suggests, Labradorite was discovered near Labrador.

More precisely, Paul Island, an island off the coast of eastern Canada near the Nain settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Beothuk and Inuit people believed it was the source of the Northern Lights due to the stone’s layers of shimmering colors.

According to legend, the Northern Lights were created when a warrior struck one of the stones with his spear.

The First Nations People used it as an antidepressant.

Before the Moravian missionaries learned about the stone in 1770, the local natives believed possession of the stone would give a person more energy while relieving anxiety and stress.

Gazing upon the glow of colors in the stone could make someone feel more energetic and cheerful.

They did not connect anything harmful or toxic to the stone.

Labradorite is found in igneous and metamorphic stone deposits.

It is often found in basalt, gabbro, and norite.

Naturally occurring asbestos is most commonly found in serpentinite rock, altered ultramafic rocks, and some kinds of mafic rocks.

It would be very rare for labradorite to be contaminated with asbestos.

It never hurts to check, however, and dust masks should be worn when working with any powdery substance.

Labradorite is popular as a gemstone.

Jewelry made out of labradorite is very popular for its shimmering iridescence.

It doesn’t chip easily but the smooth surface means it can scratch and gather dust easily.

Fortunately, it is very easy to clean with a little soap and water. (Ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended.)

Because the colors have an almost lenticular effect, it works best as finger rings or drop earrings.

Labradorite is very high in sodium.

The sodium to calcium ratio in labradorite is about 7:3.

The sodium is the most toxic thing in a labradorite specimen.

Your average cottage cheese has a similar ratio.

The only difference is you likely will not break your teeth on the cottage cheese.

As you are highly unlikely to eat nearly enough labradorite to cause high blood pressure, the sodium content is not something to worry about.

Labradorite can also be found in the Ukraine.

Some outstanding specimens of labradorite can be found in Golovinskoye, Zhytomyr.

Most stones from this region should be safe but be a little leery of anything from Pripyat.

It is strictly forbidden to take anything from the Exclusion Zone at Chernobyl.

Even sitting on the ground is discouraged, though radiation levels are now low enough for limited tourism.

These are the only labradorite stones that may be considered toxic.

The Care and Keeping of Your Labradorite

Any rock collector would love to have a polished cabochon of labradorite for their collection.

Smaller pieces can be polished into beads.

A good-sized chunk can be carved into something ornamental.

Labradorite catches dust easily and needs regular cleaning to keep it shiny and lustrous.

Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on labradorite.

Warm, mild soapy water and a soft brush should do the trick.

The stones must be rinsed and dried completely.

Do not expose them to harsh chemicals.

As they only rate a 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, care must be taken to keep them from getting scratched.

In fact, dust (which has a surprising amount of quartz particles) can leave scratches on the surface of labradorite if allowed to accumulate.

Three Kinds of Labradorite

There are three kinds of Labradorite. They are specrolite, rainbow moonstone, and andesine.

The spectrolite is very rare.

Look for it in Finland.

It gets its name from showing a wide spectrum of brilliant colors.

Rainbow moonstone has more of a deep blue if iridescent luster.

It is sometimes called Madagascar moonstone due to being found in abundance in Madagascar.

Andesine is labradorite that has been artificially treated so that the color is enhanced.

However, the natural stone rarely ever needs any enhancement more than some typical cutting and polishing.

Other places labradorite can be found include Norway, Russia, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Conclusion

There is no evidence whatsoever that labradorite is toxic in any significant way.

In fact, many cultures connect the labradorite with healing.

While there is no proof that the labradorite can cure anything, looking at the soft play of colors twinkling under light can cause mental and emotional well-being.

Someone who meditates over a piece may find themselves thinking more clearly and optimistically.

There are no materials in labradorite that could be considered toxic by simple contact, provided they were sourced from someplace safe.

In fact, it is the labradorite that needs to be protected from being damaged.

If you keep it clean and away from anything that may scratch of fracture the gem, it’s sparkling array of colors should dazzle you and other admirers for years to come.