Moonstone is a type of orthoclase or oligoclase feldspar variety recognized for its unique adularescence, a property that makes it look like bluish-white moonlight is glowing from within the stone.
The unique optical effect of a moonstone gem comes from its structure. When light hits the stone, it scatters between extremely thin, alternating layers of different feldspars — usually orthoclase and albite — creating the moonlight-on-water appearance.
The crystal is also a June birthstone, the official state gemstone of Florida, and the traditional 3rd wedding anniversary gemstone.
FAQs
What is special about moonstone?
Moonstone is one of only a handful of gems that display the milky internal glow called adularescence. Other examples include some feldspars like sanidine, peristerite, and adularia, along with some types of rose quartz and agate varieties. Still, the effect looks slightly different in these other gems.
Another special aspect of the moonstone rock is its many spiritual associations, including connections to the Greek goddess Hecate, lunar cycles, meditation, and romance.
What is the true color of moonstone?
The body color of a moonstone gem when pure is colorless, but impurities lead to other hues. The crystal can be colorless, white, green, yellow, pink, orange, red, brown, gray, or almost black. The adularescence can be white, blue, or silver.
What color of moonstone gem is best?
The best moonstone gem color is colorless (and transparent) with a strong blue adularescent sheen.
Is moonstone natural or manmade?
Moonstone forms naturally. Usually, moonstone rocks are igneous or metamorphic. Currently, no synthetic moonstones have hit the jewelry market. But plenty of simulants are out there, the most popular being synthetic spinel, labradorite, fibrolite, and chalcedony.
What is the purpose of the moonstone?
Different cultures and spiritual practices believe moonstone can be used for bringing good luck, predicting the future, making dreams more powerful, finding true love, restoring relationships after conflict, bringing wisdom from lunar goddesses, promoting fertility, and enhancing intuition.
What does moonstone protect against?
Crystal healers recommend a moonstone rock for protection from danger during travel (especially at night), illness, negative energies, and anxiety.
Does moonstone need to be cleansed?
Since the moonstone rock is said to absorb negative energies, spiritual practitioners recommend cleansing it to remove those built-up bad vibes. The most popular way is leaving the crystal under moonlight. Some crystal healers recommend cleansing it under running water then recharging it under a full or waxing moon.
What is the best cut for a moonstone gem?
Most moonstones are cut into cabochons, which displays adularescence best. Highly transparent moonstones may be faceted, often in rose or cushion cuts, but it’s less common. Many artisans also carve moonstones, with the “man in the moon” motif being popular.
Is it OK to wear moonstone everyday?
You can, but it may depend on your activities. We recommend getting protective settings on moonstone jewelry, especially rings. You should remove it before doing anything that’s strenuous, involves chemicals (like cleaning), or that happens under high heat (like a summer beach day).
How easily does moonstone break?
Moonstone has relatively good scratch-resistance at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, but it’s still below that of many other stones like quartz. Stress crack inclusions are also common and lower the gem’s durability. High heat, sudden temperature changes, and hard blows can all cause breakage.
How do you tell if moonstone is real?
Signs that you’re looking at a real moonstone gem include:
> “Centipede” fracture systems
> Semi-translucent, cloudy appearance (usually)
> Shifting or “dancing” glow as you turn it under a bright light
> Cloud- or rainbow-like inclusions
> No bubble inclusions
Having a third-party gemologist examine the stone is always a safe bet if you’re unsure.
How much does a real moonstone cost?
A moonstone gem that’s colorless with strong adularescence ranges anywhere from $20 to $120 per carat. Moonstones with other body colors, lower transparency, or weaker white or silver adularescence can be as low as $1 to $10 per carat.
The collection of moonstone gem options offered here by our carefully vetted Verified Sellers start at under $10 for Buy it Now options, with no-reserve moonstone auctions starting as low as $1.
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