Help identifying stone?

Hello!
I got a BEAUTIFUL necklace from my mom for christmas. It's a black stone, and the light reflects off of the crystaline shapes inside of it. The lady at the store which she bought it had a sticker on the back of it that said "Diaplese" which is nowhere to be found, and therefore doesn't exist. We found some very dark "Dravite" that looks sort of like it, but I don't know.
Does anyone know their stones? I'm curious to know what it is, but I don't want a jeweller doing scrapes and would like to identify it myself if possible. If you'd like to try and help I can get a pretty good picture of the stone with my new camera and help with any "experiements" that need to be done (I did do some geology in university, but I don't remember most of it).
Thanks a bunch!
Jess

Onyx??

naw, not onyx. Onyx is too straight black, this has more of a crystaline or maybe metallic (it reflects the light, don't know which one though) fleck through it. I'll post pictures ASAP...dad has my cords for the camera

Ok, so here we are! There are 4 pictures, yes, I know...but I think each shows a different quality.
Probably the most accurate photo of what it really looks like:

Showing some reflectiveness:

Show's how the flecks or crystals are formed in it:

And finally, shows how black it really is:

Hope that's not too many and that they're ok.
Jess

I know this isn't it, but it reminds me of snowflake obsidian??

Here is a site with some photos of the variety of looks you can get with this

"]

I have no clue why I can't get this insert to work properly...gnashing teeth, try just cutting and pasting the above into your browser. Sorry.

PM Gemlady w/a picture. If anyone on this site can identify it, she can.

The inside almost looks like brown topaz...

Originally Posted by katl8e

PM Gemlady w/a picture. If anyone on this site can identify it, she can.

Click to expand...

Thank you Cindy! You've put me on the spot!

Okay, having looked at the pics, it appears to be labradorite. The third pic (taken at an angle) shows some flashes of blue and yellow color which is typical of labradorite.

Or, it could be larvikite ( http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/dietr1rv/larvikite.htm ) . They are similar materials.

Oh, the only stone I know with a name close to "diaplese" is "dioptase".

im far from being an expert but is there such a thing as black quartz?? thats what it looks like to me

Originally Posted by Mom2SalemIsis

im far from being an expert but is there such a thing as black quartz?? thats what it looks like to me

Click to expand...

There is smoky quartz and some crystals can approach black in color.

Originally Posted by gemlady

There is smoky quartz and some crystals can approach black in color.

Click to expand...

i did a search for black quartz i should have done this first before opening my mouth lol but thats usually what i do speak then think lol i found this picture of "black quartz"

When I frist saw it I was thinking black boulder opal.

Gemlady - can you recommend some good beginner books? I love gems and stones - most gals at work know I am a freak about jewelry and will bring their new pressies to me to look over and aprove. I really would love to learn more - besides cats and parrots - jewelry is a passion of mine.

That's very pretty!

I'll need to think on this a bit...

The first book that comes to mind is the Audubon Guide to minerals. They have a small section on gems with pics.

Originally Posted by gemlady

Thank you Cindy! You've put me on the spot!

Okay, having looked at the pics, it appears to be labradorite. The third pic (taken at an angle) shows some flashes of blue and yellow color which is typical of labradorite.

Or, it could be larvikite ( http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/dietr1rv/larvikite.htm ) . They are similar materials.

Click to expand...

I figured that you were the best one to ask. I can spot amethysts, alexandrite, tanzanite and diamonds but, the other stones mystify me. I LOVE shiny purple rocks

It almost looks like an unpolished hematite....but what do I know?

I don' know what the stone is called but it looks really classy in it's setting. Good job Mom.

Originally Posted by gemlady

Thank you Cindy! You've put me on the spot!

Okay, having looked at the pics, it appears to be labradorite. The third pic (taken at an angle) shows some flashes of blue and yellow color which is typical of labradorite.

Or, it could be larvikite ( http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/dietr1rv/larvikite.htm ) . They are similar materials.

Click to expand...

Well, the Larvikite looks similar. The Labradorite is too much like a pearl in it's reflections (not small enough flecks). Do you know if Larvikite can come with silver/brown refections? I know it looks like it's blue in that sideways picture, but it mostly picks up browns.
Interesting though! I think we're in the right area, for sure. Thanks for the ideas and thoughts
Also, through my looking around the net for my stone, I have discovered blue obsidian...and have decided that I want some! soooo pretty

Beautiful necklace!