There has been speculation for quite some time now about this incredibly stunning, never before seen material. Recent impartial investigations into this product has sent even major sellers ducking for cover, offering full refunds for items purchased.

The material (not to be confused with Oregon Sunstone) was (as I recall) first introduced via television shopping networks, 2 major power-houses. The labeled this stunning orange - to - red material as all natural, claiming that the source was a secret, that even they did not know where it came from, but that this gemstone - soon to be known as Andesine, Andesine Labradorite, or Red Labradorite was ultra rare, and was sure to be a generational stone, just like Tanzanite (meaning that by the time your children are grown, there would be no more new material being mined, and they would have to accept pre-owned gemstones!)

A few months ago, a friend forwarded me an email she had received, regarding these gems, which indicated that the color of the red and orange gems, attributed to the content of copper, had been artificially induced, but the information was withheld from consumers.

It appeared, at that time, that more definitive information and testing was required. Many of the pieces used in the testing process (over 100 samples) were purchased on TV as well as on-line!

(I received that email shortly after I found out that one network had been providing full refunds (which I missed out on!) for the material they had sold.)

Today, it appears that this declaration is official. More than one investigation and / or lab has discovered the secret of the copper bearing red and orange labradorites.

Labradorite (a member of the feldspar family) contains inherent "tubes" that often reach the surface. These tubes have been used to heavily diffuse regular Mexican Yellow Labradorite with the copper, creating those unique red and orange hues.

Make no mistake - I have several pieces! I still think highly of these pieces, as I LOVE the color! My personal preference runs to the brighter orange tones! But I, for one, will no longer list or sell these items as "natural" gemstones, when periodicals, such as Colored Stone Magazine label them Treated!

So, we can now add red or orange andesine/labradorite to the ever-growing list of gemstones that are subject to treatments that are not always disclosed to consumers! In the meantime, I would watch the market prices for the Yellow Mexican Labradorite - since it was this material that was apparently used to provide the vehicle for this cherade! (Colored-Stone.com, e-news alerts, August 21, 2008)