Guest Author - Susan Dorling

Finland's national gemstone, Spectrolite, is a hard and rare variety of labradorite feldspar. Spectrolite has a Mohs hardness between 6 and 6.5 and a specific gravity of 2.69 to 2.70. The variety is noted for iridescence of spectrum colours from blue to red. It is often cut as a lapidary cabochon and used as a gemstone.

Spectrolite was discovered by the Finnish during WWII when building a defense line in Ylämaa in southeast Finland. After the war, Spectrolite was mined in small quantities. This small supply made it more valuable. Although labradorite is found in Labrador, Norway, Madagascar and Russia in addition to Finland, the Finnish stones have been mined and marketed under the name Spectrolite, which was given by Aarne Laitakari.

I am a very big fan of this gemstone and have a superb labradorite stone in my collection acquired from Artistic Colored Stones which may become a beautiful piece of jewelry at some point or remain a treasured member of my gemstone collection. Spectrolite is the most highly valued member of the labradorite family. Finnish Spectrolite exhibits vivid colors of bright aqua, golden yellow, peacock blue, reddish orange, greens and red. Amazing to behold!

Considered a New Age power stone, Spectrolite is known to deepen one's awareness of truth and gently opens hypernatural states of mind. In its blue form, Spectrolite is considered a beneficial sleeping stone and wrapped in soft cloth and placed under your pillow, Spectrolite helps one to fall asleep. Spectrolite, like agates, is also a useful meditation stone, powerful protection stone, and when used as a pendant it guards the heart chakra from outside influences.

Some of the most beautiful Spectrolite jewelry I have found comes from Laurie Stetzler of Design Works Jewelry. The following are some of the highlights from Laurie Stetzler's collection along with artist notes.

Maerlyn's Rainbow #2 Finnish Spectrolite/Diamond 18K Pendant

18K Rio Grande Gold; hand cast and chased. This Gem is from the finest crystal I got from Finland before Spectrolite became the "rage". I cut four pieces from it; this is the second. Red, Red, Violet, Violet; the rarest color. This gem "schiller's" in almost every direction. This style is very innovative. This produces a feeling of a wildness in the look of the precious metal. Diamond polished back and front of gem; open back.... 1/4 ct VS Diamond. Max. dim. of spectrolite: 40mmH x40mmW 5mm thick 38cts. You will never see another like it, I haven't!









Gem Blue Finnish Spectrolite Sterling Necklace/Earrings Set

It is quite impossible to show the living colors in these gems in a photo. They move all over the place! I have to catch them as best I can with the camera. This particular set of gems has not only intense blue, but also patches of yellow, red and purple. It is some of the best blue Spectrolite I've seen. I polish the gems on both sides and handcut them in my trademark fashion, I then set them in a band of cast precious metal. I then "chase" the stone into the hand-cast bezel. I also make the beads and the clasps by hand, one at a time. I do this only on the pieces I make to be hung from the leather cord. Many hours go into each one and each is one of a kind. Earrings have "leverbacks" for security. These pieces are for the woman who thought she had everything! Gem size:Neck - 39mmL x 12mmW 6mm thick.Ear -33mmL x9mmW 5.5mm thick (very lightweight).