LARVIKITE.
Old Earth Energy
Larvikite has old Earth energy, forming during the Permian period when the Earth’s crusts formed one massive continent called Pangaea before even dinosaurs roamed the Earth. It has extremely grounding energy, aligning you to the very fabric of the planet. It brings you back to the here and now, fixing you in the present which helps prevent worry and anxiety. It is a great crystal for those wishing to release attachments, making it perfect for Full Moon rituals.
Raw Larvikite from Vestfold, Norway.
© Smithsonian
Larvikite is a titanium-rich igneous rock, a mix of Silica, Monzonite, Feldspar and other minerals. The flecks of Feldspar contribute to its flashy silver-blue-grey schiller effect (labradorescence). The name for Larvikite comes from the town of Larvik in Norway where it is mainly found, however, other deposits have also been discovered around the world including Canada, China, and the US. While it is quarry mined for the crystal industry it is primarily used for the frontage or cladding of commercial buildings. So remember to check your surroundings for this rock, you might be surprised where you can find it.
Buyer’s Guide to Larvikite
Private Buyers
When you are buying Larvakite look for good polish and good flash. Avoid anything that looks dull, you want to find something with a good amount of flashy Feldspar inclusions. The format of the crystal is dependent on what you intend to use it for; pocket stone for grounding on the go; palm stone for meditation; sphere for 360° energy transmission; tower for transmitting your intentions to the universe and crystal grids; freeform sculpture for interior design impact; or in a piece of jewellery to keep you connected to the Earth. Larvikite tends to be a touch more expensive than some crystals such as agate, expect to pay $/€3-4 for a tumble; $/€ 12-20 for a palm stone; $/€ 20-35 for a tower.
Watch out for bleached Larvikite. I think they do this to give it a more Rainbow Moonstone appearance, with a more chalky white surface rather than its usual dark grey. Some people like it but I have to admit it gives me the ick. You will also see some Labradorite mislabeled as Larvikite. Remember that Larvikite has a blue/silver flash in small flecks whereas Labradorite can have a range of colours and the flash areas tend to be well over the 1-2cm size of the Feldspar flecks in Larvakite.
Large Larvikite pocket stone.
Retail Buyers
Larvikite is a lesser-known crystal and so it is generally purchased by those who are searching for some or if you can tell the story of Larvikite on a larger platform to draw people to it. Keep your stock of this to a minimum unless you are prepared really push it. Maybe stock one or two formats of this stone such as tumbles and towers or palm stones and towers. Spheres tend to be a bit pricey so watch the margin on those. If you sell to people decorating interiors then a large polished slab on a blackened metal stand looks fabulous.
When you are buying this material keep an eye out for the quality of the polish - it needs to be high shine to get the most out of the stone. You also need to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of flashy Feldspar flecks in the material. Flash sells, any dull pieces with little flash won’t sell at all and you will end up with dead stock. A lot of Larvikite for the crystal and spiritual industry passes through the polishing centres in China so you can purchase via Instagram - just remember to pay with PayPal so that you can get a refund should there be any issues with your order. If you are buying towers from China get them to hand check each one for chips on the tips and also that the base is cut straight so you don’t end up with wonky towers.
Some wholesalers may mistakenly label Labradorite as Larvikite so make sure you know what you are looking for and that it has a blue/silver flash. Avoid the bleached white Larvikite - it’s awful and ironically expensive.
Quick Guide | Larvikite
Zodiac: Larvikite is associated with the zodiac sign Aquarius but it will align with any sign.
Ruling Planet: The ruling planets for Larvikite are Saturn and Neptune.
Chakra: Larvikite is associated with the Root (Muladhara) Chakra.
Element: Larvikite is aligned with the element Earth.
Crystal Charging: Larvikite can be charged overnight under the light of a Full Moon or in a fresh-water stream. It is a pretty self-sufficient crystal which doesn’t require much cleansing.
Crystal Elixir: Larvikite is water-safe so it can be used to make crystal elixir.
Crystal Care: Larvikite can be cleaned with lukewarm soapy water, a soft cloth, a compressed air duster, or a soft brush.
The chemical formula for Larvikite (approx): (Ca,Na)(Mg,Ti, Fe,Al,)(Si,Al)₂O₆