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CHAPTER XX.
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LABRADORITE.
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HE Spaniards found amongst the ornaments
of the Indians, dwelling upon the shores of
the Amazon, grotesque figures formed of this
mineral, supposed to have been exhumed
from the tombs of the old Peruvians. It is now found
principally on the northern coast of Labrador, and was
originally sent home by the Moravian missionaries.
From its occurrence in the Peninsula of Labrador,
where it forms, by its remarkable brilliancy of colour, the
" fire rocks " of the Indians, it is variously known as
Labrador, Labradorite, or Labrador felspar. The last name
shows that it belongs to the great family of Felspars. It ยท
is, indeed, a common constituent of many rocks, but only
exceptional specimens are sufficiently beautiful to be used
as ornamental stones, and even these have very little value.
Generally speaking, the body-colour is a dull grey,
brown, or greenish brown ; but typical specimens of the
mineral possess a remarkable iridescent chatoyancy, or
internal reflection of prismatic hues, especially bright blue
and green, with more or less golden yellow, peach colour,
and red. From its remarkable play of colour it has become
a great favourite with many connoisseurs, and at one time
was much used for cameos. The colours are best seen
when the stone is polished flat, parallel to the reflecting
surfaces.
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