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LABRADOR.
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The
labrador has a grey ground with whitish stripes, and looked at when it
faces the light it reflects varied colours, like the opal. Where
broken, its light is between that of glass and pearl ; and it is only
transparent in its most minute fragments.
It is found not only in Labrador, but also in Norway, and amongst the lava of Etna and of Stromboli.
Less
brittle than common spar, and still less hard, its specific weight is
from 2'71 to 2-75. It melts with difficulty under the action of the
blow-pipe ; and it is said that it loses colour at the fire.
Its
hardness is unequal. It marks white crystal, but is marked by
rock-crystal. It is composed of silex, alumina, lime, soda, oxide of
iron and water.
The labrador, also called labradorite, is
only used in articles of not very small dimensions, such as
snuffboxes, clock-cases, vases, because the pieces only produce a
good effect when they are of a tolerable size.
The
refraction of light produces admirable effects in this mineral ; so
much so, that ardent imaginations fancy they perceive symbols or
figures in it, created doubtless by their own desire.
In
1799 it was told to the Legitimist emigrants of France, that in Russia,
a flat, broad stone of labradorite had been discovered, on which was
perfectly delineated the face of Louis XVI., in azure on a greenish
ground. The head of this unhappy prince was covered with a reddish
crown, shaded into prismatic colours. It appeared illuminated beyond
the power of art, whence it was regarded as miraculous.
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