Labradorite

Labradorite Gemstone Beads from Rings & Things: Labradorite beads and pendants offer striking rainbow-colored reflections when light hits them from a particular direction. The labradorescence, or schiller, in these semiprecious beads and pendants offers the same stunning visual effect created by gasoline on water, or light on the delicate wings of tropical butterflies.

Also known as black moonstone, falcon's eye, and labordite, this semiprecious gemstone is a sodium-rich variety of plagioclase feldspar found in igneous or metamorphic rocks. It is in the same gemstone family as moonstone and spectrolite (a high-quality labradorite mined in Finland).

Labradorite is believed to detoxify the body, slow the aging process, elevate consciousness, and protect a person's aura. Many say the stone heals mental confusion and indecision. For black labradorite beads, see larvikite.