Labradorite.
A sample of medium-grained, equigranular,
light-grey anorthosite from Ten-Mile Bay, Labrador
The stone has a unique appearance, as up to 20 percent of the
labradorite crystals exhibit flashes of blue
chatoyance
on cut surfaces (the trade name is
Reflect Blue). The deposit
is marked by a black
pyroxene-biotite foliation. Widely spaced
joints and minimal fractures permit the extraction of large blocks.
The deposit is located 10 kilometres south of Nain, Labrador, and is
being developed by the Labrador Inuit Development Corporation, with
help from an Italian company.
From Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador -
"Minerals of Newfoundland and Labrador - Industrial Minerals."
http://www.gov.nl.ca/mines&en/geosurvey/.
Courtesy of David Liverman, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.