Moonstone belongs to the feldspar variety ‘adularia’, a potassium aluminium silicate. The moonstone is characterized by an enchanting and mysterious play of colors known as ‘adularescence’. In olden times people believed moonstone depicted the waxing and waning phases of the moon. Moonstone an ideal gemstone with a feminine aura.

Moonstones from Sri Lanka, shimmer in pale blue on a transparent background. Moonstones from India have a background of beige-brown, green, orange or brown. The name ‘adularia’ is derived from the European Alps near the Adula Group where it is found. ‘Selenite’, another name is derived from the Greek ‘selene’ meaning moon.

In India moonstone is regarded as a holy, magical gemstone which bring the wearer beautiful visions at night. In Arabic countries women wear moonstones sewn into their garments moonstone since it is a symbol of fertility. The moonstone strengthens our intuition and our capacity to understand.

Classical moonstones come from Sri Lanka, The USA, Brazil, Australia, Myanmar and Madagascar. Bluish moonstones of good quality command a very high price. Green, brown, orange, black, red, smoky and champagne colored moonstones originate from India. Some have a cat’s eye effect or a four pointed star as well as the typical undulating shimmer in three-dimensions and a seductive aura.

Classical moonstones are cut as cabochons, with due importance given to the height of the stone. The axes of the crystal are aligned precisely into the zenith of the stone to bring out its adularescence.

Light rays are refracted and scattered by the stone causing adularisation. The hardness of moonstone is 6 on the Moh’s scale. The more intense the color, the larger the size and the more transparent, the more highly valued is the moonstone.

Fine classical blue specimens display a ‘three-dimensional’ adularisation. Indian moonstones are more reasonably priced than classical blue moonstones. Anyone can select a moonstone to suit his or her taste and budget now.