Lucky elephant — Larvikite labradorite

A piece carved from the solid block and then hand-polished; the motif follows the natural veins of the stone, so no two examples fall the same way on the design.

A dark gray that catches fire in blue, green or gold the moment you tilt it — labradorescence, spectacular and fleeting.

What tradition says. Tradition makes it a stone of thresholds and protection; it is credited with preserving your inner space.

The motif. The elephant, trunk raised, is a motif of luck and long memory shared by India and South-East Asia.

The subject. Larvikite labradorite.

In practice. A piece for a cabinet, a desk or a shelf, it stands on its own. Dust with a dry cloth; avoid water on pieces with soft veining.

• Its flashes come from light diffracting between microscopic layers stacked within the feldspar.
• A natural piece: shade, veining and dimensions vary from one example to the next

A decorative object for personal practice. It is no substitute for medical advice or treatment.