Is it possible to wet a Labradorite stone?

For some, the properties do not matter; the main thing is the external attractiveness of the stone in decoration. For some, the durability of a ring or earrings is a big plus when choosing. I will not talk about the magical properties of stones, their effects on human health and other miraculous things. Let’s leave that to the magicians. When talking about the properties of stones, I mean more mundane qualities that directly affect their appearance. For example, hardness. But not only her. The hardness determines how a stone is scratched and, therefore, how jewelry with this stone can be worn and stored. There are several methods for determining hardness, one of the most popular is the Mohs scale. It was proposed in 1811 by the German mineralologist Friedrich Mohs. The scale values ​​from 1 to 10 correspond to 10 fairly common minerals from talc to diamond. Designed for a rough comparative assessment of the hardness of materials using the softer-harder system. Relative hardness is determined by the scratch method and has no other quantitative definitions. Mohs hardness Reference mineral Absolute hardness Machinability Other minerals with similar hardness Halite, chlorite, mica Scratched by a copper coin Biotite, gold, silver Easily scratched by a knife or window glass Scratched with force with a knife, window glass Can be treated with diamond, scratches glass Can be treated with diamond, scratches glass Beryl, spinel, aquamarine Can be treated with diamond, scratches glass Sapphire, ruby, tungsten carbide Depending on the properties of the stones, care varies. Some can be wiped with alcohol, while others will lose their color. What is not recommended to do in any case: – spray perfume on jewelry with stones. First apply cosmetics and perfume, then put on jewelry. – go to the gym and wear jewelry. Many people absolutely cannot tolerate sweat. – do cleaning in dyes. See point above. – take a shower, go to the pool. Bleaching is not a friend to stones. Fluorite Hardness on the Mohs scale is 4. As you understand from the table above, fluorite, a very popular stone now, is subject to even minor mechanical stress. Glossy (mirror) polishing does not hold up well. Which means that under no circumstances should it be stored with other jewelry. How to prolong the shine of fluorite? I am not an expert on stones and can only compile the necessary information in one article. Primary sources are specialists whom I trust. For example, tips on caring for fluorite and opal are taken from Mark’s blog Gems4u (Gemstoneskiosk). 1. Wipe very gently, effortlessly, with a damp velvet cloth. Wet wiping the polished surface will restore its brightness and shine.
2. Do not drop fluorite on a hard surface – it can break very easily.
3. Do not expose fluorite to temperatures below 5 degrees and above 40 degrees. Opal Hardness on the Mohs scale 5,5-6 Buyers of precious opals (and there are more and more lovers of these stones) need to remember several important points:
1. Provided that the seller is selling truly full-fledged natural opals, and not their simulations, not doublets and triplets, it is impossible, or rather, it is generally impossible to make a claim to the seller that the color play of the resulting stone differs from that visible in the photograph. When photographing opals, almost ideal conditions are created for maximum opalescence; in addition, the visual effect depends on the viewing angle. To see an exact repetition of the pattern, as in a photograph, you need to look at the stone from the same distance, from the same point as the camera lens. In this case, identical lighting remains a prerequisite, and it is also advisable to raise the sensitivity of the observer’s eyes to the level of the camera matrix.
2. To enjoy the beauty of opals for a long time, you need to know how to handle them correctly. It is advisable to store opals in closed boxes, which allows you to maintain a constant temperature and humidity of the atmosphere inside the box. Opals do not like hypothermia below 0 degrees, do not like overheating, and really do not like to remain in direct sunlight for a long time, especially in summer.
3. There are a lot of opals on sale on the market, the play of color of which is enhanced and fixed by impregnating the stones with colorless natural oil (a practice very common for Australian opals, but similar cases of treatment with Ethiopian and Sudanese opals have not yet been recorded). Oil has the peculiarity of slowly evaporating from such stones due to the high porosity of opals, and, naturally, the higher the constant ambient temperature, the faster the oil evaporates, and the opal “fades”. This is unpleasant for the owner, but grief can be helped even at home. It is enough to have natural, best of all, cedar or hemp oil and a hermetically sealed pressure cooker.
4. For African opals, in case of overdrying or, conversely, over-wetting the stone, it is necessary to carry out a full water procedure, soaking it for a day in clean, preferably distilled water, and then drying it at room temperature. In the vast majority of cases, if the “active layers” have not been destroyed by elevated temperatures or external chemical influences, the play of color will be completely restored. Moonstone (adularia) Hardness on the Mohs scale 6 – 6,5 Moonstone (adularia) is a translucent bluish-silver spar. Rare mineral. It got its name due to its mother-of-pearl sheen with a blue or soft bluish tint, reminiscent of moonlight in a soft milky color. There are also stones of light yellow color. The main deposits of moonstone are located in India, the USA, Burma, Australia and Brazil. However, the best are considered to be moonstones from Sri Lanka. Moonstone is a very fragile mineral and can be easily deformed, so it is very important to ensure that scratches, dents and chips do not form on the surface of the moonstone.
Moonstone is also sensitive to household chemicals, temperature changes and any external mechanical influences. Moonstone is cleaned under very mild, gentle conditions.
Before cleaning, you should check your moonstone jewelry to ensure that the stone does not fall out of the clips. Moonstone and jewelry made from it are placed in a container of warm water, adding a little mild soap or dishwashing liquid. After the stone has been in the soapy solution for fifteen to twenty minutes, they begin to carefully and thoroughly clean it with a soft sponge or brush.
Particular attention should be paid to the places where the stone comes into contact with the metal. After the “bath procedures”, the moonstone should be wiped dry with a soft cloth, and a piece of velvet can be used to give it more shine. Labradorite (labradorite) Hardness on the Mohs scale 6,0 – 6,5 Labrador – was discovered in the 1781th century by missionaries of the German community of the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. A little later, a large deposit of labradorite was found in Russia – in the vicinity of St. Petersburg in XNUMX, during the construction of the road from St. Petersburg to the royal palace in Peterhof, boulders with labradorite were discovered. The St. Petersburg nobility began to wear rings and rings with these stones. Labradorite has a beautiful play of colors, and its dark variety, sparkling blue, is called black moonstone. The richest deposits of labradorite were later discovered in Ukraine. Moreover, there turned out to be so much of it that it depreciated in value, became a facing stone and was later used for cladding metro stations and many monumental buildings. Very beautiful Labradors are mined in Finland and Madagascar (Madagascar moonstone). Labradorite is the name given to the rock from which labradorite stones are mined. The stone is quite durable; it can be cleaned as for a group of quartz. Garnet Stone hardness on the Mohs scale 6 – 7 Garnet (from the Latin “granatus” – grain, grain) is a mineral consisting of silicic acid and metal oxides. The shape resembles pomegranate seeds, hence the name. Those minerals that are most often sold under the name garnets are two of the minerals in the group, almandines and pyropes. Almandine is the most popular of the garnets, named after the area in Asia Minor where it was discovered. Colors range from red to brown, with a purple tint.
Pyrope means “like fire” and is a dark red mineral. It is found mainly in rocks rich in magnesium. Like almandine, it is a semi-precious stone.
Other varieties of garnet are found mainly in mineralogical collections: uvarovite (green), grossular (light green, gooseberry-colored), andradite (brown), spessartine (pink, yellow-brown). Some “hybrids” of garnet with other minerals have their own names: rhodolite (pyrope and almandine), hessonite (grossular and andradite) and others. The pomegranate needs to be periodically allowed to rest; it also needs to be kept away from constant exposure to sunlight. Despite the fact that the pomegranate should not be exposed to water often, it is possible to clean the pomegranate using water. To do this, you can prepare a soap solution, dip the product with the stone into it and wait for a while. Then you need to wipe the stone with a soft cloth and rinse again. You can also use a special brush for cleaning jewelry stones. You can peel pomegranates with sea salt or regular salt. To do this, you need to dilute salt in warm water, then let the solution cool and dip the decoration with the stone into it. It is advisable that the pomegranate remains in the water for a while and only then can it be rinsed in cold water. Tourmaline Mineral hardness on the Mohs scale 7,5 Tourmaline (from the Senegalese “turamali” – multi-colored) is a brittle stone belonging to boroaluminosilicates. Tourmalines are found in Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Canada, Burma, USA, India and Afghanistan. Tourmaline has beneficial properties that are used in microelectronics and medical devices. The processed stone looks very attractive and does not require special care. They don’t clean it too often. To do this, use a warm soapy solution and a soft cloth. Steam and ultrasonic treatments are not allowed. The recommended frequency of “washing” is once every 2-3 months. Quartz Mineral hardness on the Mohs scale 7 The most common mineral in nature. Citrine, rock crystal, rauchtopaz, rutile quartz, jasper, rose quartz, amethyst, chalcedony, carnelian, chrysoprase, agates. Quartz is silicon dioxide. Its name comes from the German word quarz, the origin of which remains unclear today. In addition, this mineral and its varieties are known as Mexican diamond, hedgehog stone, Tamerlane stone, Cupid’s arrows, Venus’s hair. Pure quartz is colorless and transparent, like water. This mineral is present in many rocks and is formed in nature under a wide variety of conditions. The stones of this group are quite durable. You can try cleaning with a citric acid solution, or you can clean with ultrasound. Turquoise Hardness by scale Mohs 5-6 Turquoise (from the translation “firuza” – stone of happiness or “piruz” – winning) is an aqueous hydrated phosphate of aluminum and copper. It is an opaque stone with an amphora structure in sky blue, bluish blue, bluish green, apple green. Turquoise is also found with spotted colors and brown stripes. The most highly valued turquoise is sky blue. Large deposits of turquoise are Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Egypt, USA, Australia, Argentina. The price of turquoise is about $10 per carat. The stone is soft and scratches easily. Products with natural turquoise are not recommended to be washed; moisture is contraindicated for it, because Turquoise is a very hydroscopic mineral and can change color when exposed to moisture. Products with turquoise should be cleaned with dry suede, flannel or woolen cloth. Turquoise is not resistant to cosmetics (creams, perfumes), sweat, oils. When washing your hands, it is better to remove turquoise rings. The color fades with prolonged exposure to sunlight. When heated to 25 C, turquoise acquires an inconspicuous green color – therefore it is better to protect it from direct sunlight. In the sun it slowly discolors, so the average lifespan of the stone does not exceed twenty years. If turquoise has lost its shine and turned green, it means that its life is over, and they say that it “died.” Pearl Hardness on the Mohs scale 3,5-4,5 Pearl is a mineral of a class of organic compounds, round or irregular in shape. It is formed in shellfish shells as a result of the deposition of layers of aragonite (calcium carbonate) around a foreign body, most often grains of sand. Pearls are mainly mined in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, Japan, and Sri Lanka. Freshwater pearls are mined in Russia, Germany, the USA, and China. A very capricious stone. Pearls are negatively affected by four main factors: high temperature, high humidity, significant brightness of light and air pollution. Pearls contain organic matter that can dry out and decompose, so pearls have a certain lifespan, then they fade, flake, and collapse. However, if stored properly, pearls do not lose their beauty for many hundreds of years. First of all, to keep pearls from aging, they must be worn. If a person constantly or at least often wears pearl jewelry, they are continuously exposed to the sweat glands (sweat has a slightly acidic reaction). This significantly slows down the process of pearl dehydration and promotes the dissolution of its weathered layers, which are gradually removed, and the pearl retains its shine. Pearl products require especially careful care. The stone should be protected from heat and open flame (since it contains two percent water, it may crack and lose its shine). Keep it away from acids, abrasives, fumes and cosmetics. Jewelers most often “revive” pearls by treating them with a weak solution of hydrochloric or acetic acid. At home, pearls are cleaned in a mild soap solution. You should not store pearls in a place that is too damp or dry, and keep them in sunlight for a long time. It is recommended to remove pearl jewelry before swimming. You should avoid getting perfume, oils, and glue on your pearls. It is recommended to tie knots on a string between individual pearls to prevent them from touching each other. The thread on which the pearls are strung must be changed every 2-3 years. Amber Hardness on the Mohs scale 3 – 4 Amber is a fossil resin, an organic mineral. Amber contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and small amounts of sulfur and ash. There are different shades of amber: from pale yellow to bright golden. Amber is an amphora mineral, that is, it does not have a crystalline structure. Amber is a very fragile stone, which is also flammable.
The bulk of amber production (about 70%) occurs in Russia and the Baltic states. Amber requires especially careful handling, like all jewelry stones and decorations. Amber, like other organic stones, for example, mother-of-pearl, jet, pearls, etc., as well as porous ones, such as turquoise, are terribly afraid of any weakest chemicals, so it is recommended to wash them with clean water, wipe them with a soft cloth for shine, and also do not store in the sun, etc.
Amber is a fossilized resin that is accustomed to water. True, now there are many different imitations of pure amber, i.e. These are different types of pressed or injection molded. If your stone has lost its shine due to improper care, it can only be corrected by mechanical polishing. Recommendations – be sure to come from a jewelry maker who has already dealt with polishing amber! There are few gemstones that exhibit the “play of color” phenomenon better than labradorite, with red, blue, purple, yellow and other stones dancing before your eyes as it turns in your hand, but there is much more to learn about this rare beauty. The Schiller effect, labradorescence, light interference, lattice distortion are some of the scientific explanations for flashes of color in labradorite gemstones that we can look at later, but perhaps the Inuit of Labrador in Canada best explain it by saying the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis were trapped in labradorite rocks. The story goes that a mighty Eskimo warrior unleashed the colors that dazzle the polar sky with the blows of his spear, but failed to break all the stones, leaving us with a few labradorite gems that we collect and then cut, polish and admire to this day.

Labradorite dyes

It may come as a surprise, but the different colors displayed in high-quality labradorite are not actually present in the gemstone or are the result of mineral impurities. Labradorite is made up of thin layers of different minerals, and when light passes through these layers, it breaks up the white light into all the colors of the rainbow, which are then reflected, deflected, absorbed and flashed before our eyes. This is not a very common phenomenon and this exhibit has several different names: adularescence, labradorescence and aventurescence are long and difficult words, so someone came up with the “Schiller effect” from an old German word meaning sparkling, flickering or playing. colors. Most labradorites have a dark base color with blue, green, yellow or red being the most likely colors to display. Gold, purple, turquoise, orange may also appear, and examples with a distinct color or a rainbow of colors are most sought after.

Types of labradorite

Labradorite is feldspar, the most abundant mineral on Earth, a mixture of silica and aluminum that makes up more than half of the Earth’s crust. The appearance of sodium (albite) and calcium (anorthite) in the correct proportions mixed with silicon and aluminum gives us labradorite. Moonstone, sunstone and amazonite have very similar chemical compositions and are also types of feldspars. Spectrolite Trade name for a variety of high quality colorful labradorite that can only come from Finland. (Sometimes spelled Spectralite incorrectly) Andesine A type of labradorite that has a general chemical composition but not its appearance. Andesine (sometimes called red labradorite) is an orange to red colored gemstone, usually faceted and usually clear. Sunstone A clear or translucent gemstone with shiny inclusions of hematite, which comes in beautiful yellow, orange and red colors and is chemically very similar to labradorite. There is also an attractive star sun stone. Rainbow moonstone Another variety of labradorite, which has a shimmering or iridescent hue with a blue glow.

Purity and cut of labradorite

Gemstones generally fall into one of three clarity categories, with variations within that category. Opaque gemstones do not allow light to pass through, even if you hold them up to a light source. Translucent gemstones allow some light to pass through, but you cannot see clearly through the gemstone. Transparent gemstones allow light to pass through them unimpeded, so you can look through them and see objects or read words from the other side. Technically, standard labradorite can be described as opaque to translucent, although for all intents and purposes it is an opaque gemstone. The play of color works best against a dark background, but since the color appears to come from within the gemstone, the almost translucent coating really enhances the appearance. Because it is a mostly opaque gemstone, labradorite is usually cut into round or dome-shaped shapes, which are called cabochons in the gem trade. The special charm of this gemstone is its play of color, which is created by the reflection and scattering of light from the layers of various minerals that make up this stone. Cutting labradorite to capture this piece at its best is a real challenge.

What is the spiritual significance of labradorite?

Labradorite, known as the gemstone of transformation, will be of great help to those who are going through changes in life, be it through choice or circumstance. A new career or job loss, moving home, a broken relationship or transition to a new healthy lifestyle are all associated with stress and determination, and the labradorite gemstone will give you the strength to persevere and succeed. Labradorite is an ideal gemstone for the workplace, promoting communication, teamwork and commitment. This can make the work environment pleasant, make customers feel welcome, and overall improve company performance. It is an emotionally positive gemstone that brings enthusiasm to everyday life along with the simple joys of family, friends and surroundings. This will remove the burden of responsibility and allow you to appreciate what you have.

Labradorite and chakras

Chakras are the energy centers of your body, also known as chi or prana. There are seven chakras in the body, each affecting a specific physical, emotional or mental state, and each having a different color. The seven chakras are: Crown associated with the color violet, Third Eye (indigo), Throat (blue), Heart (green), Solar Plexus (yellow), Sacral (orange) and Root (red). Sometimes in life our chakras become unbalanced or blocked and need to be realigned or cleared. One way to do this is to use chakra healing stones. These stones or crystals are colored according to the individual chakras: red for the root chakra, orange for the sacral chakra, yellow for the solar plexus, green for the heart, blue for the throat, indigo for the third eye and purple for the crown chakra. . Labradorite is often found in the deep blue range of colors and is usually associated with the third eye chakra. If you feel sluggish, not so much physically but mentally, wondering what the meaning of your life is, unable to make a decision and seeming to make bad decisions all the time, you may be experiencing a blocked third eye chakra. Alternatively this chakra can be overactive and signs of this include daydreaming, bad nightmares, a negative attitude towards any new ideas, the labradorite gemstone can give these dreams purpose by turning them into creative ideas, turn nightmares into visions of a brighter future and open up. your mind to new experiences. Labradorite comes in other colors, and if a particular gemstone is predominantly yellow or red, it will influence a different chakra.

Health Benefits of Labradorite

We are often asked how to use gemstones for spiritual or health benefits, and while we are certainly not experts in this area, we have gained some experience and knowledge. Of course, wearing a gemstone as jewelry is the easiest way for a crystal to impact your body. Alternatively, they can be placed in your purse or pocket and used as a touchstone throughout the day. When meditating, hold crystals or place them on your lap. The easiest way is to simply lie with the crystals on your body, if possible aligning them with the chakra points. There is no doubt that stress and depression are not only a mental problem, these ailments are the direct cause of many physical problems. Labradorite can help with both stress and depression and thus has great physical healing effects. In addition, Labradorite is believed to greatly help the respiratory system, metabolic and digestive system, relieve symptoms of PMS and rheumatism, arthritis and gout, and regulate high blood pressure. Labradorite should be cleaned every two weeks to maintain its maximum potential. To do this, rinse the stone with cool water and dry it in the sun for about an hour. The more natural the water, the better spring or rain water, but tap water will suffice. If you feel like Labradorite needs a little boost or perhaps a deep cleansing, try an earth bath. Dig a hole a few inches into the best natural soil you can find, place your gemstone directly into the soil, leave it for at least a day before removing it and rinsing it under running water. Mark where you buried the gem!