Maybe you've heard about moonstone or seen pictures online. The name is intriguing, no doubt, and there is a lot more to this material than meets the eye.
Whether you're looking to buy some moonstone jewelry for a loved one or just eager to expand your gemological know-how, you've found the right place.
In this article, we're giving you the foundational knowledge about this amazing gem, why it's so significant, and even offer some tips on how to identify raw moonstone in your journey moving forward. You'll never view moonstone the same way again! Let's get started.
Moonstone Appearance and Properties
We can't take a step further in discussing moonstone without mentioning its astounding appearance first and foremost. Forgetting about the rarity, the cost, and the metaphysics for a second – we fall in love with moonstone at first sight simply because it looks so enchanting.
It's not just the color of moonstone that catches the eye – these colors can range from light grey and white to blue, green, and even shades of pink and purple. What stands out most about this material is the optical phenomenon known as adularescence, a distinctive form of light diffraction.
The effect is one of a moving, lustrous glow that appears just below the surface of moonstone, a result of the unique composition of microscopic structure within the stone itself.
Without diving deep into a gemology lesson, just know that this type of light scattering can only happen through an extremely complex formation of minerals deep within a stone, making it nearly impossible to replicate in a man-made setting.
With all that said, what are the other fundamental facts about moonstone you should know? Here are some quick stats that will help you make sense of this gem from the start:
Moonstone is a sodium-potassium aluminum silicate ((Na,K)AlSi3O8)
Admired by ancient Romans and Greeks, with modern popularity in the Art Nouveau period
Deposits have been discovered in mountainous regions of the United States, Armenia, the Austrian Alps, India, and even Madagascar.
Became the official state gemstone of Florida in 1970 to commemorate the moon landings, despite no moonstone being found naturally in the state (or on the moon)
Moonstone is the subject of study for the world's foremost geologists and jewelers – plus it fetches some high prices. For our purposes, we know moonstone as a gorgeous gem that looks great on jewelry, or just admired on its own with the perfect polish.
The Meaning Behind Moonstone
In the world of mineral gemstones, there's always more to learn about a stone's meaning beyond its visual properties. In the case of moonstone, many seek out moonstone for its calming and healing abilities.
While the official science can't confirm any of these facts, there's no denying that moonstone brings a sense of tranquility to any situation and offers a feeling of protection when worn.
From our perspective, if a gem or item improves your state of mind or allows you to combat stress more effectively, we say it's worth keeping around!
Depending on who you ask, moonstone may also be connected with astrology or other esoteric practices. There is a lot to uncover in this world, but we'll let you explore that curiosity on your own if you choose.
Wearing Moonstone the Right Way
Let's say you're interested in adding some moonstone to your jewelry repertoire, but you're not sure where to start. Of course, it's totally up to your personal tastes and priorities when wearing jewelry of all kinds, but there are a few unspoken rules that come in to play regarding moonstone.
Make Moonstone the Focus
Unlike more common gems that play supporting roles, you want to make sure moonstone is featured front and center in any piece you wear. It helps if the moonstone is slightly larger, since this will give you more surface area and depth to explore the dazzling light displays that the gem is known for.
Avoid Over-complicated Designs
Simple designs help moonstone shine to the best of its ability. This is a material that speaks for itself, and again, the goal is to preserve the stone in its entirety to capture the full optical effect that sets it apart. Designs like suns, moons, compasses, and flowers are great organic shapes to select.
Earrings, Rings, and Pendants
For some reason, moonstones just don't work as well on bracelets. These are gems that need to be front and center, and ideally, held still in time and space to deliver the greatest impact.
That's why the most popular moonstone jewelry comes in the form of pendants for necklaces, as well as earrings and rings.
Complementary Materials
Moonstone is a powerful, eye-catching gem that shouldn't be brought down by low-quality synthetic materials when jewelry is constructed. Color-changing Alexandrite is an excellent complement to glimmering moonstone, as is 18K white or yellow gold as a base alloy.
Identifying Authentic Moonstone
You may come across moonstone in your gem collecting or jewelry journey, but beware – there are imposters out there, and you definitely want to know the real from the fake.
Step number one is to watch out for rainbow colors or a spectrum of light that seems overpowering. Moonstone is all about the subtlety of color and refraction, so don't be tricked by over-the-top colors and displays of light.
Next, make sure the piece isn't made of opalite, which is just glass that resembles moonstone. The giveaway here is layers. Moonstone has multiple layers within, while opalite is just a solid mass.
If you are stumped on trying to identify real moonstone, don't hesitate to seek out a professional consultation. Even if you spend a bit of cash up front, you'll save a lot of headaches later.
Bring More Moonstone Into Your Life
The pictures online don't do it justice – you've got to see real moonstone up close and personal to see what all the hype is about! Now that you know the basics about moonstone and how to wear it with style, start your search for the piece that speaks to you.
