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Continue ShoppingGemstone Glossary L
Labradorite – Labradorite is a Feldspar mineral that can grow as either thin, tabular or massive crystals. The base color is generally grey to brown, and it displays a prism effect of blue, yellow and green, and rarely, pink or purple. Labradorite that displays the full color spectrum are called Spectrolite. The crystal system of Labradorite can grow at different angles, creating streaks and spots within the prism’s pattern.
Lapis Lazuli – A relatively rare, semi-precious stone, Lapis Lazuli is an intense blue mixture of minerals. One of the main sources for Lapis Lazuli is in the Kokcha River valley in Afghanistan. Its vivid color is often complemented by flecks of gold pyrite and white veins of calcite. The most prized color for most people is the Lapis Lazuli that is deep and pure in blue with gold flecks.
Larimar – Larimar is the singular known blue Pectolite mineral and is found in only the Dominican Republic. Larimar’s volcanic blue coloration comes from the copper replacement of calcium within the mineral, and it can sometimes display green chlorite inclusions or red spotting believed to be caused by oxidation. Also known as Atlantis Stone, Larimar displays vivid blue and white patterns reminiscent of waves and has become increasingly popular in the jewelry industry since mining for it began in 1974, though the first records of Larimar are from 1916.
Laser Quartz – Quartz is a silicon dioxide mineral which is the single most abundant mineral on earth. Laser Quartz refers to a Quartz which tapers from its base down to its termination (point). These crystals often have curved sides.
Lemon Chrysoprase – The lemon-lime variety of chrysoprase is known as lemon chrysoprase and is generally a milky solid color. Green chrysoprase get their color from incusions of trace amounts of nickel.
Lemurian Quartz – Originally found in Brazil, Lemurian Quartz is generally clear and displays horizontal striations, or grooves, that are generally alternate between these notched faces and smooth faces. Lemurian Quartz often grow as a Laser Quartz and has been recently found in pale pink hues, which get their coloring from dustings of Hematite.
Lepidochrosite – Lepidocrocite is an iron oxide-hydroxide mineral which forms when iron substances rust underwater, creating a sub-metallic red to brown crystal (sometimes grey to white Lepidocrosite can exist). These crystals form as scaly layers in an uneven, rosette pattern.
Lepidolite – The uncommon lilac grey or rose colored mica called Lepidolite is a layered structure of lithium aluminum silicate sheets. Lepidolite has a pearly sheen to it which is the perfect complement to its soft colors. Pale Lepidolite can easily be mistaken as pink muscovite as their characteristics are quite similar.
Libyan Desert Glass – Libyan Desert Glass is a controversial substance found in the Eastern Great Sand Sea of Egypt. Many scientists differ on their beliefs of its origin, though many concur that it is around 26 million years old. Generally yellow in color, this glass can also be found in a milky or even clear tone. Libyan Desert Glass displays an interesting combination of divots, ridges, and smooth waves making it a great choice for display pieces for collectors or even in jewelry.
Lodolite – A variety of quartz which originates from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sometimes referred to as Garden Quartz, Lodolite has natural inclusions of pink, yellow, cream, mauve, orange, red, brown, green and many other color variations which often look like miniature landscapes or garden being encased by clear quartz.