Other

Rocks On: Labradorite

OtherMar 30, 2016

Rocks On: Labradorite

While demand for labradorite continues to be strong, the availability of fine labradorite seems to be taking the sideline to a more affordable, though lower quality, supply.

New York--It’s no secret that many lesser-known colored gemstones are starting to have their day in the sun, as gem connoisseurs and even today’s consumers look for something unique and special.


Boston Gems’ Paul Dragone said that while there is a large supply of lower quality labradorite on the market, they prefer to deal only in fine labradorite, such as the stones pictured here. (Photo by Shira Price-Marshall, courtesy of BostonLabradorite, a feldspar mineral of the plagioclase series, is one of those.

Though the stone “has been a bit of a sleeper for the past five years,” Paul Dragone of gemstone supplier Boston Gems told National Jeweler, the “floodgates” for the gemstone opened about three years ago as people began to pull out more of the supplies that had been sitting in warehouses.

Eric Braunwart of Columbia Gem House also noted that “phenomenal stones seem to be doing well right now. So labradorite fits into an area that people like. It really is quite a beautiful stone.” Phenomenal gemstones are those that feature striking optical effects, such as asterism in star sapphires, adularescence in moonstone, and labradorescence in fine labradorite.

Part of the credit for labradorite’s popularity also could be due to the decreased supply, and subsequently increasing prices, of fellow feldspar moonstone. 

Phenomenal labradorite, with its sheen, can offer a similar look but with a lower price tag. In addition, it has a bit more availability in the larger sizes than moonstone in today’s market, Braunwart said.

On the rise?
Labradorite is riding an interesting trend in the marketplace right now. Whereas the high end is really where many colored stones are seeing growth in demand and sales, labradorite seems to be doing the opposite.

Demand for the stone is growing, but particularly in the more affordable, less fine material. Braunwart and Dragone both said that they’ve been seeing more and more of the lower quality material on the market.

Dragone also said he has noticed an increasing trend, particularly with the cheaper material, of more rough being cut for size rather than color, resulting in big cuts for statement jewelry but lacking the great look labradorite has been known for, or even the ability to see the sheen from the top of the stone.

“It’s really changed the dynamic of the market quite a bit,” he said, adding that the less expensive material, which

can cost as little as $1 per carat, is outselling the finer material three to one. 

Plenty of people are using this material, especially when it still has those purple or blue flashes, because it is still a unique and interesting stone, Dragone said. Sterling silver and labradorite seem to make a natural pairing, he added.

This material can provide a better entry point price-wise for a starting designer or brand that may not be able to afford the finer material. But the lower quality, with its inclusions and visible veins that are similar to cracks, is more brittle than the higher quality material, according to Dragone.

“This is why you’ll see many of the higher-end designers shying away from these stones,” he added. “The high quality stones are just a much better product.” 

He said that he now can pay up to $40 per carat for high quality labradorite, which has gray, black or blue body color with minimal or no white veining. Most of that material he sees on the market comes from Labrador, Canada and through Germany, where it is cut.

While there isn’t necessarily a shortage in supply with the finer material, it can be harder to find these days as demand picks up at the other end.

And while there is still plenty of labradorite to be mined, the issue on the supply side of this stone stems more from the lack of actual mining activity than a deficit in Mother Nature.

According to Braunwart, as the market seeks lower and lower prices for the rough and subsequently shrinking profit for miners, the less time and effort they want to spend mining it. “There isn’t a lot being produced right now,” he said.

Future directions
If this trend doesn’t change, two things could happen, according to Braunwart: either prices will start to go back up or there will be very little labradorite available on the market soon.

Because many of his clients for labradorite these days are for what he refers to as “makers”--those who create small-scale, lower price-point handcrafted jewelry one might see on websites such as Etsy--he believes that’s the direction in which the stone is heading.

“I think we’ll see a really interesting market change,” Braunwart said. “Labradorite will continue to sell, and I think it will grow in sales, but I don’t believe that will be within the traditional jewelry market.”

Rather, he believes that it will continue to be a go-to stone for these artisans and “makers” who are looking for affordable yet unique stones, instead of being sold by more traditional jewelry retailers.

He added that he believes if this happens, the jewelry industry will be missing out on an opportunity to appeal to millennials, who are looking for unique pieces and colored stones like labradorite. 

Dragone, meanwhile, has another prediction for the future.

There’s a gemstone in the trade that’s frequently referred to as “rainbow moonstone,” but it’s actually a variety of labradorite, according to the Gemological Institute of America. 

Regardless of how it’s referred to, Dragone has seen this rainbow-sheened stone take off in popularity. While it’s is much rarer and more expensive, this could represent the direction that labradorite will take in the future, he posited.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy