| Moonstone is a semi-precious gemstone | | | | About a hundred years ago, Moonstone was |
| frequently incorporated into some of the | | | | also once a very popular gem to set into |
| most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry | | | | jewelry, in the times of Art Nouveau. |
| in the world. It is most often found in | | | | Moonstone populated many jewelry designs |
| shades of shimmering white, and is | | | | created by the famous French Master |
| widely recognized as the June | | | | Goldsmith, René Lalique, and by his |
| Birthstone. But beyond its modern-day | | | | contemporaries. Nowadays, these |
| uses and associations, moonstone holds a | | | | creations can only be seen in museums or |
| decadent mythological, spiritual and | | | | in collections. |
| etymological history that adds nostalgic | | | | Moonstone has long been considered a |
| value to its already strong aesthetic | | | | sacred and magical gemstone. Centuries |
| worth. Read on for more information that | | | | ago, the shimmering adularescent |
| will help you fall in love with your | | | | property was thought to resemble the |
| moonstone jewelry - or inspire you to | | | | phases of waxing and waning of the moon. |
| buy some today! | | | | In Arab countries, this stone was sewn |
| The name moonstone comes from the | | | | into woman's garments, because it was |
| shimmering appearance this stone | | | | was believed to be the symbol of |
| displays, which appears different | | | | fertility. In India, Moonstone was |
| whenever the stone moves. This phenomena | | | | called the "dream stone," as it was |
| is called adularescence. Adulerescence | | | | believed to bring beautiful, sweet |
| is due to the interior makeup of scales | | | | dreams. It is also thought to symbolize |
| or lamellas structure of the Moonstone. | | | | the holistic view of the wearer--its |
| When incoming rays of light hit these | | | | soft shine will support the dreamy, |
| scales, it is refracted and scattered | | | | emotional tendencies of the person. |
| into a unique play of light. | | | | These associations are what make |
| Moonstone is a variety of the species | | | | Moonstone an ideal choice for lovers, |
| feldspar. On earth, two thirds of the | | | | bringing forth feelings of tenderness |
| stones are varieties of Feldspars! | | | | and true love. Moonstone is also thought |
| Moonstone's particular orthoclase | | | | to bring about mental clarity, balancing |
| feldspar variety is called "adularia," | | | | the ying/yang of the wearer, and an |
| because it was found in the European | | | | overall sense of comfort. It is mined in |
| Alps near the Adula-group, and also | | | | Sri Lanka, and India, as well as |
| contains the silicate of potassium | | | | Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, the |
| aluminum in gemstone quality. Another | | | | United States and Tanzania. |
| synonym for Moonstone is "Selenite," | | | | Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 |
| after Selene, Greek goddess of the moon. | | | | point scale where 10 is the most |
| Moonstone gemstones look best as parts | | | | resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is |
| of formal evening jewelry when paired | | | | easily scratched, such as Talc. |
| with Black Onyx, dark amethyst or black | | | | Moonstone gets a score of 6.-6.5, |
| diamonds. More casual combinations | | | | meaning that it is somewhat scratch |
| include softer contrasts of brilliant | | | | resistant and therefore suitable as a |
| moonstone with rose quartz, peridot or | | | | component of jewelry. Moonstone |
| topaz. To see a selection of handmade | | | | gemstones should be regularly cleaned by |
| artisan jewelry featuring moonstone, | | | | a professional or with a soft rag and |
| click here. Moonstone is typically | | | | mild soap and water. Avoid ultra-sonic |
| considered a sophisticated gemstone that | | | | cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals |
| works well with any outfit. In earrings, | | | | when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry |
| it works especially well to enhance the | | | | as exposure to these elements can damage |
| luster of dark or light blue eyes. | | | | semi-precious and precious gemstones and |
| Moonstone's body color comes in a large | | | | pearls. |
| array of hues: blues, green, orange and | | | | Learn more about all semi-precious |
| peaches, smoky beiges, and brown, | | | | gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, |
| dependent on the origin of the stone. | | | | black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, |
| Sri Lanka was the first origin for | | | | chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, |
| Moonstone, which are a shimmering pale | | | | white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, |
| blue against an almost transparent | | | | iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, |
| background. | | | | pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, |
| Moonstone is often considered the | | | | ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, |
| perfect choice for jewelry designs that | | | | tourmaline and tourquoise when you check |
| display sensuous and feminine character. | | | | out this gemstone chart. |