Color: RedGreen-->Orange ("Andesine-labradorite has a faint labradorescence, which gives it a metallic schiller or luster.")
Dimensions: 9.20mm x 9.20mm x 6.00mm
Weight: 2.90 cts
Luster: Good
Clarity: VVS
Hardness: 6.0-6.5 rating on the Mohs Scale
Treatment: Heated, Lattice-Diffusion treated (All Andesine-Labradorite is Lattice Diffusion-treated; treatment is the only method for creating this gem)
Lady Lipstick -- be Thy Graceful Namesake
Of Red Glow on Marilyn, Angela, Gaga.
So Boldly do you Go.
So Slowly does visage Fade.
Her Wiles Rapt you -- like a silent Siren's Song,
Let Lady Lipstick come hither and nigh.
We are an eBay eStore enterprise focused on selling mostly Loose Natural Gemstones. Stay here, look around and learn. Via eBay Messaging, ask us questions, make an offer, and otherwise discuss your wishes, concerns and hopes. We pride ourselves as good-spirited folks having fun and doing our best to share the joy of Nature's most beautiful and enduring literal treasure -- Natural Gemstones. Expect to find us cheerful and trustworthy, and we will expect the same of you. For us, Negative FeedBack as a means of coercion is never needed and only degrades everyone's enjoyment in what should otherwise be a fun shopping experience. And finally, please enjoy my work as eBay's First (unofficial) Gemstone Poet. -- captej2012
======================================================
Andesine Labradorite Gemstone Information
Andesine-labradorite first appeared in 2003, which makes it a relatively new gemstone. It is typically found in reddish orange colors, along with traces of green and yellow. What makes it different than most other gemstones is its faint metallic schiller or luster known as labradorescence. Iridescence allows andesine-labradorite to exhibit various ranges of color depending on the viewing angle. It is still relatively unknown to most people, and for quite some time, there was a shroud of controversy that surrounded the stone's origins.
The problem with andesine-labradorite, is that it was originally traded without proper disclosure of color-enhancements. The gemstone's origin was also very mysterious when it was first introduced to the public. Andesine was first discovered in South America's Andes Mountains, which is where the name 'andesine' was derived. Labradorite was first discovered in Labrador, Canada, which explains labradorite's name. However, it was later determined that andesine-labradorite was not actually 'andesine'. Instead, it turned out to be color-enhanced 'labradorite'. Though andesine and labradorite have very similar chemical compositions, they are differently defined. After the 'rediscovery' of andesine-labradorite's chemical composition and origin, the original name 'andesine' was thought to be very misleading. In order to partially correct the problem, 'andesine' was later hyphenated to 'andesine-labradorite'. The trade name was widely accepted, but it is often referred to as just 'andesine', as well as 'red labradorite', 'Congo sunstone' and by its general term of 'red feldspar'.
Andesine-Labradorite Feldspar Group
Andesine-labradorite belongs to the feldspar group of minerals, which is Earth's most abundant mineral group. Feldspars make up nearly 60% of the Earth's crust and are distinguished by the presence of aluminum and silica ions, including aluminum silicates; sodium oxide, potassium oxide and calcium oxide.
The two main feldspar branches are plagioclase feldspar and potassium feldspar, which includes orthoclase and microcline. Plagioclase gemstones all have similar hardness scores and relatively high refractive indices, ranging between beryl and quartz. All are mixtures of albite and anorthite. Andesine is 50-70% albite (a sodium aluminum silicate) and 30-50% anorthite (a calcium aluminum silicate), while labradorite is 50-70% anorthite and 30-50% albite. Since these two materials vary in ratio, it is easy to see why andesine-labradorite can be so confusing. Plagioclase feldspars have a similar appearance and they can often be categorized as both andesine and labradorite.
 Andesine-Labradorite |
Andesine-labradorite has a chemical makeup that is a mix of labradorite and andesine (albite and anorthite). Identifying andesine-labradorite requires testing to confirm composition ratio. Andesine-labradorite can usually be distinguished from other gemstones that have similar features by a faint iridescent effect resulting in a slightly metallic luster. Andesine-labradorite does not possess glittery, metallic sparkly inclusions like sunstone, but instead, it typically contains needle-like rutile inclusions. Unlike most imitations, metallic colors are visible only through luster. Andesine-labradorite is easily distinguished from labradorite, by its brighter colors. Natural labradorite is usually a dull, dark and smoky gray, whereas andesine-labradorite is more reddish and orangy in color.
Andesine-labradorite's origin is uncertain and remains quite controversial. In the early 2000s, it was believed that andesine-labradorite was first discovered in the Congo and then it was later thought to be China, Mongolia, Tibet and then Southern India. The silicate mineral of andesine was actually discovered in the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains, and labradorite, also a silicate, was first discovered in Labrador, Canada. Since andesine-labradorite has a chemical composition similar to both, its origins would be Canada and South America's Andes Mountains. However, the actual location where labradorite was first diffused to create andesine-labradorite, is yet to be determined.
Andesine Labradorite Color
Andesine-labradorite is most often reddish with traces of green and yellow. Colors range from red to honey-red, from yellowish to orange and from amber to champagne or green. Andesine-labradorite also has a metallic schiller when viewed from different angles. The iridescent schiller is comparable to labradorite. Through lattice diffusion, yellowish labradorite is altered into reddish andesine-labradorite.
Andesine Labradorite Clarity and Luster
Andesine-labradorite has a vitreous to dull luster. It commonly occurs with visible inclusions, which are acceptable, but the inclusions are not like those of glittery sunstone. Andesine-labradorite inclusions are typically rutile needles. Andesine-labradorite has a faint labradorescence, which gives it a metallic schiller or luster. Most andesine-labradorite stones are transparent to translucent, but heavily included, opaque specimens do exist.
Andesine Labradorite Cut and Shape
Andesine-labradorite is found in various shapes and cuts. It is most often faceted, rather than cut en cabochon. Unenhanced labradorite is almost always cut en cabochon. The enhancement allows the stone to exhibit better transparency and color which is highlighted through facet cutting. Most andesine-labradorite stones are cut in oval shapes. Since they are a lesser-known gemstone, fancy shapes, such as marquise, cushions, trillions, pears and baguettes are hard to find because of limited demand.
Andesine Labradorite Treatment
Through the process of lattice diffusion, copper bearing agents enhance labradorite colors from a dull gray to a reddish hue. Labradorite is a natural gemstone, but it is through color-enhancing treatment that labradorite becomes andesine-labradorite. Many stones are claimed to be 'heated' only, and there are claims of untreated specimens, but to this day, no confirmed reports of untreated andesine-labradorite exist. As a precaution, all of our andesine-labradorite gemstones are described as 'diffused', reinforcing our guarantee of open disclosure of any enhancements made to our gemstones for sale.