Spectrolite is a semi-precious gem stone that belongs to feldspars. It is only found in south-eastern Finland in a condense area and in tiny pockets scattered around Finland. Spectrolite was discovered by accident in 1940 by second lieutenant Pekka Laitakari when the Finnish army was constructing antitank obstacles at Ylijärvi, Ylämaa. His father, geologist Aarne Laitakari had for years searched the mother vein of spectrolite around that area, unsuccessfully. Now, the vein found, Aarne Laitakari named this stone flashing the spectrum of Finland's seasonal colours Spectrolite.

Spectrolite is a member of the feldspar labradorite stone family, but for its colouring it is very different from common labradorite that is grey with blue flash, larvikite that is grey with grey-blue flash, or rainbow moonstone, also known as Indian labradorite, that is milky white with light blue flash. Spectrolite was entitled a gem name of its own because of the rainbow rich variety and depth of colours it displays on black base stone. The intense colours range from blues and greens to yellows and oranges. Some specimens display all these colours simultaneously. Most valuable, rarest and hardest to get hold of spectrolite includes shades of red: magenta, purple, violet and red. It is almost impossible to get hold of black and white spectrolite.

Spectrolite is the only Finnish gem stone that has a quality rating system. According to it, spectrolite is divided into four classes: A+/A, B, C and D. Spectrolite is suitable for a number of uses such as sculpting, tiles, mosaic and decoration items, but especially suitable it is for personal jewelry because no two gems will ever be exactly the same, every stone is individual. In industrial jewelry making uniform colouring is a must so gem houses very often only buy blue spectrolite for harmony of their collection. Small enterprises often venture to use more colours and create fantastic, one-of-a-kind pieces from spectrolite.

As a healing and power stone, spectrolite has many qualities. Because of its rainbow quality of reflecting various frequencies of light, it enhances the weak auric vibrations of its wearer. Spectrolite helps to reach tranquility and peace, and its effect it multiplied when used in meditation - either held in hand or placed on the forehead or heart. Spectrolite aids the opening of psychic abilities, it provides clarity of thought, dispels negativity, improves one’s ability to co-operate with others and increases perseverance and strength. All this will not happen overnight, however.

On the physical side spectrolite works well with sleeping disorders. When a blue or blue-green spectrolite is placed under the pillow (wrapped in a scarf or pillow case to avoid any abrasion), or worn as a pendant, it will in time make a person fall asleep effortlessly and sleep deep. It is important to place the stone close to one's head that controls the sleeping activities. To recreate a new sleeping pattern often takes some time. Another little known aspect of spectrolite is that when a person wears it, they know if somebody is lying to them. This makes spectrolite an excellent choice for example for parents raising their kids that sometimes go to extremes to get their way.

It is advisable not to use ultrasonic cleaning for spectrolite because of its lamelled structure and it should not be cleansed with salt either. Spectrolite is best cleaned with a soft brust under cool running water, or left to soak in ample water overnight just like nature would clean it.
Many cabbers say that spectrolite is a challenge to work on and the loss of stone can be up to 70 per cent. If you choose a stone that has a homogenic structure without natural cracks, loss of stone is, however, minimal. Spectrolite is nice to cut and the first phases of forming are easy. Due to the lamelled structure, you may have to spend more time at the finishing phases when you want to reach that perfect shine without lamelles showing. In this aspect spectrolite can be a challenging stone but the reward can also be something simply stunning. Every Stone of Light is a treasure to cherish.

Chemical composition: Na(AlSi3O8)Ca(A12Si208)
Mohs scale of hardness: 6.0 - 6.5
Specific gravity: 2.69 - 2.70 (according to Finnish stone industry association: 2780 kg/m3)
Refractive indices: 1.56-1.57
Double refraction: 0.008
Water absorbancy: 0,16 p-%
Pressure resistance: 215 MPa
Bending resistance: 12,8 MPa
Wear resistance: good
Weather resistance: good