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Larvikite · Igneous rock (monzonite) · about 6

Larvikite

Updated

Larvikite is a dark igneous rock from the Larvik area of southern Norway, made mostly of large feldspar crystals that flash silver-blue as you turn them. It cooled from magma about 292 to 298 million years ago, when the Oslo Rift was pulling the crust apart. Polished slabs are sold all over the world as Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl granite for counters and building fronts, and in 2008 Norway named it its national rock. It is inexpensive and tough enough for beads, palm stones and carvings, and it is often sold as “black labradorite” or “black moonstone”.

From the ground to your hand

From the rock to the finished piece. Where gems are mined.

  1. 01 In the ground (step 1 of 4)

    A larvikite quarry near Larvik, Norway, where the stone is cut out in big blocks for building and for counters.

    A larvikite quarry near Larvik, Norway, where the stone is cut out in big blocks for building and for counters.

    Real specimen. Photo: Mahlum, Public domain.

  2. 02 Rough (step 2 of 4)

    A broken piece of larvikite: grey-blue and coarse-grained, with feldspar crystals you can see by eye.

    A broken piece of larvikite: grey-blue and coarse-grained, with feldspar crystals you can see by eye.

    Real specimen. Photo: Woudloper, Public domain.

  3. 03 Polished (step 3 of 4)

    Polished larvikite, sold as Blue Pearl granite. Turn it and the feldspar crystals light up silver-blue.

    Polished larvikite, sold as Blue Pearl granite. Turn it and the feldspar crystals light up silver-blue.

    Real specimen. Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0.

  4. 04 To own (step 4 of 4)

    A larvikite palm stone, 45 to 50 mm, from Amazing Gemstone.

    A larvikite palm stone, 45 to 50 mm, from Amazing Gemstone.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

Rock type
Monzonite, an igneous rock, mostly feldspar
The flash
Fine layers inside the feldspar crystals
Hardness
About 6
Age
About 292 to 298 million years
Where from
Only the Larvik area, Norway

Larvikite vs labradorite vs “black moonstone”

Larvikite vs labradorite vs “black moonstone”
LarvikiteLabradorite“Black moonstone” or “black labradorite”
What it isA rock: many feldspar crystals packed togetherA single feldspar mineralA trade name, usually larvikite itself
The flashSmall silver-blue flashes all over a grey-black stoneLarge sheets of blue, green or goldWhatever the stone underneath is
Where fromLarvik, NorwayCanada, Madagascar, Finland and moreRead the listing
HardnessAbout 66 to 6.5Same as the stone
Typical priceA few dollars for beads or a palm stoneMore per piece, a lot more for strong flashShould be larvikite prices

Treatments. Larvikite is not dyed, heated or grown in labs; it is simply cut and polished. If a listing sells “black labradorite” or “black moonstone” beads, they are most likely larvikite, which is fine, as long as you are paying larvikite prices. All gem treatments explained.

Where does natural larvikite come from?

Pins mark mining districts, not exact mines. Drag to move, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a pin to read about it. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

List of every place on the map (2)
  • Larvikite: Larvik and Tvedalen, Vestfold, Norway. The quarries of the Larvik plutonic complex, the only source of larvikite, sold worldwide as Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl granite. Position approximate.
  • Larvikite: Sandefjord, Norway. The larvikite body runs along the coast from Sandefjord towards Langesund. Position approximate.

Which larvikite should you buy?

Listing photos; prices are rounded. How we choose.

Amazon prices as of . Prices and availability are accurate as of that date and time and are subject to change; the price shown on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.

LabradoriteMoonstoneSunstone

Larvikite stores worth browsing on Amazon

Brand stores whose larvikite pieces we have checked, with one of their listings as an example. Browse the whole store: anything you buy through these links supports the site.

Amazing Gemstone8 mm natural stone bead bracelets in dozens of stones, plus palm stones, pyramids and towers.Example: pyrite bead bracelet, 8 mmBrowse the store on Amazon →

The larvikite shop: 2 more pieces we trust

Every piece names the real stone. Listing photos; prices are rounded.

Amazing Gemstone larvikite worry stone, 1.5 inchCarvings and decorAmazing Gemstone larvikite worry stone, 1.5 inchSee price on Amazon →
BEZAVO tumbled larvikite stones setRaw and tumbledBEZAVO tumbled larvikite stones setSee price on Amazon →

Your kit for larvikite

Tools to check your stone →

LookGemOro 10x triplet loupeabout $15LookDARKBEAM filtered 365 nm UV flashlightabout $13HandleHonoson locking tweezers, 3 packabout $10StoreTeensery gem display boxes with clear lids, 10 packabout $9MeasureGemOro Platinum XP500 pocket scale, 0.01 gabout $40

In short

Larvikite is a Norwegian rock made mostly of feldspar crystals that flash silver-blue. It is often sold as black labradorite or black moonstone, and as Blue Pearl granite for counters.

See our first pick: Amazing Gemstone larvikite palm stone, 45 to 50 mm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is larvikite the same as labradorite?

No, but they are cousins. Labradorite is a single feldspar mineral with big sheets of colour. Larvikite is a rock made mostly of a different feldspar, whose crystals flash in smaller, silver-blue patches. Some sellers call larvikite “black labradorite”.

Is larvikite good for jewellery?

Yes, for beads, pendants and bracelets. At about 6 on the Mohs scale it is softer than quartz, so a ring stone will scuff over the years, but bead bracelets and palm stones wear well. Clean it with mild soap and water.

Is Blue Pearl granite really granite?

Not in the geologist’s sense. Blue Pearl and Emerald Pearl are trade names for polished larvikite; the stone trade calls most hard decorative rocks granite. Larvikite has little or no quartz, which true granite needs.

Sources

Photo credits

  • larvikite-quarry-larvik.webp: Mahlum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • larvikite-rough.webp: Woudloper, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • larvikite-blue-pearl-polished.webp: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Product photos: Amazon listings, via the Amazon Product Advertising (Creators) API.

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