Larvikite

Larvikite (after the town of Larvik in Norway) are coarse-grained plutonic rocks. Main component of the alkali is Larvikite. The term is no longer used in the modern petrographic nomenclature, although very common and as a local name for these rocks in the Oslo Graben is still in use. In QAPF diagram for plutonic rocks they stand between syenite and monzonite and have features of both groups.

Rock description

The bluish Larvikite are anorthoclase syenite with about 10 percent mica, augite and hornblende. They shimmer blue because of the characteristic of submicroscopic exsolution lamellae anorthoclase. This effect is referred to as Pseudochromasie. Furthermore, there are brown, dark green and shimmering silver Larvikite.

Accompanying minerals biotite occur on in some Larvikitvorkommen olivine and magnetite. These dark accompanying minerals store between the dominant feldspar crystals.

The eye-catching shimmer effect is the Feldspatmineral labradorite, which also shimmers, very close. Therefore, it came earlier to confusion with the anorthosites: " Dark blue shimmering anorthosites ( with labradorite as plagioclase ) [ ... ] are often confused with the equally shimmering blue Larvikiten [ ... ] a special feature the Larvikite dar. The very sodium- rich feldspar, the so-called anorthoclase shows, similar to the labradorite from the Plagioklasreihe an interesting blue glow. "

Applications

These natural stones are often used because of their interesting shimmering decor. The incident light is refracted in the feldspars and leads to shimmering effects of these rocks.

Typical applications for this group of rocks are wall coverings, table tops and other objects of interior design. At times, played the Larvikite as a tomb and memorial rock a prominent role.

Types of natural stone

  • Labrador Hell ( Blue Pearl )
  • Labrador Dark ( Emerald Pearl)

Photo Gallery

Carillon in Berlin Tiergarten from Labrador Hell

University Library in Oslo, below and above Brighter Darker Labrador Labrador

Larvikite quarry in Klåstad, Larvik

Oslograben Dimension stone Carillon in Berlin-Tiergarten
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