Properties of Labradorite

Labradorite is a type of feldspar mineral known for its striking iridescent play of colors, often referred to as labradorescence. This optical effect is caused by the scattering of light by microscopic structures within the stone. Labradorite is typically gray or black in its base color but can display vibrant hues of blue, green, yellow, and orange when viewed from different angles.

Image of an labradorite rock
Credit: Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a list of labradorite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Labradorite Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Density2800 kg/m3
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Compressive Strength147 MPa
Hardness (Mohs)6
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)5.6×10-6 1/°C

Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009. 4) Stone: Building Stone, Rock Fill and Armourstone in Construction. United Kingdom: Geological Society, 1999.