All colors of the rainbow

MOONSTONE

Moonstone Origin & Physical Properties

Moonstone is a name which encompasses both true moonstone, which is orthoclase, a potassium feldspar, and Rainbow Moonstone which is actually a variety of labradorite. The name Moonstone is born from its visual effect, called schiller or adularescence, caused by micro layers of lamellae which refract and bend the light as it travels through the stone.

Orthoclase Moonstone is found in colors ranging from white, to grey, blue, pink, peach, green, brown and nearly black. Even high quality orthoclase Moonstone gems are relatively affordable compared to its closely related sibling Rainbow Moonstone.

Rainbow Moonstone, or white Labradorite, has become incredibly popular in the gem world. High quality stones with strong blue-fire can fetch prices similar to that of normally much more expensive gemstones like Rubellite Tourmaline and Aquamarine. Rainbow Moonstone is typically included, however these inclusions are also what disperse the light and create the prized adularescence they are famous for. Gems with less inclusions may exhibit less flash, but often have a deep blue sheen, rather than a rainbow effect.

Rainbow Moonstone, as its name implies, can exhibit every color of the rainbow in its flashing sheen. With a general background color of white, Moonstone’s schiller can exhibit yellow, red, green and blue. Today, most high quality rough comes from Indian mines, as well as Sri Lanka and Madagascar. 

MOONSTONE GEMSTONE PROPERTIES
Category Properties

Chemical Composition

(Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8

Mohs Hardness 

6 - 6.5

Luster

Vitreous to Pearly

Specific Gravity

2.56 - 2.62

Refractive Index

1.518 - 1.526

Fluorescence 

Inert to blue (and pinkish)

Crystal System

Monoclinic

Diaphaneity

Transparent to translucent

Color

White, blue, yellow

Origin

Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, Brazil,India

Chakra

Third eye (6th), Crown (7th)

Zodiac 

Cancer

Element

Water, wind

Metaphysical Effects

Oneness & wisdom, universal truth, dispels negativity, balancing

Moonstone Healing & Metaphysical Properties

Blue fire Rainbow Moonstone gem with psychic intuitive metaphysical properties

Moonstone History & Mythology

In Vedic mythology, Moonstone is an important gem, representing the physical manifestation of moonlight. It was a stone that also symbolized love and good fortune. The goddess of the moon, Chandra, is depicted with a moonstone set on her crown.

Ancient Greeks and Romans continued the mythological beliefs of ancient India, with Moonstone also personifying the energies of the moon in their mythologies. The Greeks connected the goddess of Love, Aphrodite, with the goddess of the moon, Selene, naming the gem “Aphroselene”. The Romans connected Moonstone with the goddess Diana, queen of the Moon and the open night sky.

In Ancient China, there was a myth that the most legendary of Moonstones were carried in from the sea at high tide every 21 years. Moonstone was thought to have a living spirit held within it, bringing good fortune and love to the wearer.   

More recently, Moonstone rose to great popularity and fame during the Art Nouveau period. It was used frequently by many master jewelers, including the legendary French goldsmith Rene Lalique.