Labrador Antic

Geologically, Labrador Antic is a Precambrian plutonic rock from the Egersund anorthosite complex — one of the most significant anorthosite deposits in Europe, which has been quarried commercially for decades. Anorthosites are a rare class of igneous rocks consisting almost entirely of plagioclase feldspar (the labradorite variety), with small proportions of pyroxene and rare iron minerals. The coarse-grained texture and the dark base colour arise from the crystalline plagioclases and the subordinate dark minerals. In the stone trade, Labrador Antic is consistently listed as a “granite”, because the material is fabricated technically like a high-quality hard stone — the petrographic classification as an anorthosite is the geologically correct designation. DNSA documents the material under entry 5338 (INSK 30.12) with the main name LABRADOR ANTIK. Important for the distinction: other Norwegian “Labrador” stones — Labrador Hell, Labrador Dunkel, Labrador Acier — come from the Larvik complex and are petrographically syenites with a considerably finer texture and an even silvery grey base colour; Labrador Antic from Egersund is coarser, darker and more dramatic in appearance.

The technical values place Labrador Antic in the upper class of the hard stones: bulk density 2,690 kg/m³, compressive strength 220 MPa (one of the highest in the entire Labrador family), flexural strength 17.3 MPa, water absorption 0.07–0.12 per cent, porosity 0.18–0.33 per cent. The low water absorption and the DNSA-confirmed frost resistance also make the material suitable for external applications in Central European freeze-thaw zones. One important particularity: DNSA documents a partial acid sensitivity — individual mineral components (plagioclase) are not permanently acid-resistant. In practice this means that acidic cleaners and concentrated acids are to be avoided; food acids such as wine, lemon juice or vinegar are unproblematic within the normal application range, but should not be left to act over a longer period. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

At ROSSITTIS, Labrador Antic is available as a raw slab (random slab), as a floor tile, as a tread and riser, as a window sill, as a skirting, as a paving stone, as a façade element and as a project-specific cut to size; likewise as a kitchen worktop, bar counter and vanity top. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Our honest assessment: Labrador Antic is not a restrained background stone — it is an architectural statement material with one of the most dramatic light effects among all natural dimension stones. For entrance areas, prestige wall claddings, lobby floor areas, exposed bar counters and statement kitchens, Labrador Antic is a very strong choice — the labradorescent feldspar crystals create a lively, changing slab image depending on the incidence of light that exists in this form in no other material. When viewing samples it should be noted that the intensity of the iridescence can vary from block to block; a selection of real slab images is advisable. For calm, even background surfaces or applications with frequent acid contact, a different material should be chosen.