Purple Labradorite Tower from Madagascar

This polished tower is sold under the trade name "Purple Labradorite" and comes from Madagascar, showing a violet-to-blue iridescent flash running along its tapered faces. "Purple labradorite" is a trade name used across the crystal market rather than a strict mineralogical classification - material sold under this name is typically labradorite or a closely related plagioclase feldspar showing purple-toned labradorescence, and trade names in this market describe an appearance, not a certified mineral species. The tower shape is cut with a flat base and tapering point, and since it is cut from natural rough, the exact flash pattern and proportions are unique to this piece.

Quick facts

About

Labradorite is a feldspar mineral known for labradorescence, an optical effect where a sweep of color moves across the surface as light hits internal layers within the crystal. Most labradorite flashes blue and green, but "purple labradorite" describes material from the same broader group that flashes violet and blue instead; it is a market name describing the flash color, not a separately classified mineral. This piece, sourced from Madagascar, sits in our labradorite collection, and if you are shopping by shape, our dedicated tower and obelisk collection covers the wider range of pointed pieces we carry. Since every tower is cut from natural rough, expect the exact height, taper, and flash pattern to vary piece to piece.

How to use it

Towers are usually displayed upright on a shelf, desk, or altar, and turning the piece slightly reveals the shifting labradorescent flash from different angles, which is part of the appeal of this cut over a rounder shape. Some people group several towers of different stones together to compare height, color, and flash side by side. In crystal tradition, labradorite is associated with intuition and insight, an association drawn from long practice rather than a tested claim.

Care

Dust the tower with a soft, dry cloth to keep the polished faces free of buildup that can dull the flash. A brief rinse under lukewarm water is fine for deeper cleaning, followed by immediate drying; avoid prolonged soaking, ultrasonic cleaners, and harsh or acidic chemical cleaners, all of which can dull feldspar's polish over time. Place the tower on a stable, padded surface, since the tapered point is the most exposed part of the shape and can chip if the piece is knocked over onto a hard surface.

Frequently asked questions

Is "purple labradorite" a distinct mineral from regular labradorite?
Not formally. It is a trade name for labradorite or a closely related plagioclase feldspar that flashes violet and blue instead of the more common blue-green; trade names describe an appearance in the market, not a certified mineral species.

Why does the flash only appear at certain angles?
The color sweep is labradorescence, an optical effect from light interference within thin internal layers of the feldspar; it becomes visible only when the stone is angled so light strikes those layers directly.

Is the point on the tower fragile?
Yes, the tapered top is the most exposed part of this shape, and at Mohs 6-6.5 it can still chip if the tower is knocked over onto a hard surface, so a stable, padded spot reduces that risk.

Where does this specific tower come from?
This piece is sourced from Madagascar, a well-known source of labradorite and related feldspars, though we do not certify an exact mine for individual pieces.

Will it stand on its own without a stand?
Yes, towers are cut with a flat base to stand upright unassisted, though a felted pad helps protect both the shelf surface and the stone's base edge.

Does this tower have any proven health or psychic benefits?
No. This is a decorative natural stone, not a health product or medical device, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Its ties to intuition come from crystal tradition, not verified science.