Moonstone
| Property | Details |
|---|
| Mineral | Feldspar (orthoclase) |
| Mohs Hardness | 6 – 6.5 |
| Refractive Index | 1.518 – 1.526 |
| Birthstone | June (alternative) |
| Major Sources | Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Madagascar |
| Treatments | Rarely treated |
Overview
Moonstone is a variety of feldspar that displays a beautiful floating glow called adularescence—a soft, billowing light that moves across the surface as the stone is tilted, reminiscent of moonlight glowing through thin clouds. The finest moonstones are colorless with a blue adularescence, though the gemstone also occurs in peach, gray, and rainbow varieties.
Varieties
Blue moonstone: The most valued variety, with a transparent body and strong blue adularescence. Rainbow moonstone: Technically a variety of labradorite, displays multicolored flashes of blue, purple, and gold. Peach moonstone: Warm, peachy-pink body color with soft adularescence, popular in bohemian jewelry. Moonstone has been used in jewelry since ancient Rome and is especially popular in Art Nouveau-inspired and bohemian designs.
Care & Cleaning
Moonstone ranks 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and has cleavage planes, making it best used in earrings, pendants, and protected ring settings. Clean with warm soapy water only. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and hard impacts.