Color: Moonstones come in a
variety of colors, ranging from colorless to white, gray, brown, yellow, orange, green, or
pink. Clarity ranges from transparent to translucent.
Description: (K, Na) AlSi3O8,
Moonstone (also called rainbow moonstone) is soft milky white stone, the most valuable
variety of feldspar with an rainbow sheen. Moonstone shows a silvery or bluish
iridescence, that is caused by the intergrowth of two different types of feldspar with
different efractive indexes. The term moonstone also has been applied to the plagioclase
feldspars peristerite and labradorite, which also exhibit iridescence.
The name's origin: The moonstone named for its semblance in
color to the moon.
Birthstone: Moonstone along with alexandrite and pearls
are birthstones of Gemini (Twins): May 21 - June 21.
Wedding anniversary: Moonstone is the 13th anniversary
stone.
Care and treatment: Moonstone can be easily scratched as it
has a hardness of 6. Store moonstones carefully and never allow two specimens to touch
each other.
From the stone history: Moonstone was very popular with the
Romans, who thought it was formed out of moonlight, also used in Roman jewelry since 100
AD. In India moonstone is considered a sacred stone to this day.
Shopping guide: Stone has a rainbow-like array of colors and
will pick up colors you wear. The best moonstone has a blue sheen, perfect clarity, and a
colorless body color. It is often worn in rings, pendants or bead necklaces.
Healing ability: Moonstone aligns vertebrae. It is good
digestive aid. Moonstone also soothes and balances the emotions.
Mystical power: Moonstone is believed to be protective for
women and babies. It's also associated with the sea and planting cycles. Moonstone is said
to balance yin and yang. In India, moonstone is regarded as a sacred stone. It is believed
to bring good fortune. Legend says that Moonstone is a highly prized gift for lovers as it
arouses tender passion.
Deposits: Moonstone is found in Brazil, European Alps, India,
Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and USA (Pennsylvania and Virginia). Sri
Lanka produces the highest quality moonstones.