Gem Profile- Moonstone

Moonstone Facts

Geologically speaking, true moonstone is an orthoclase feldspar gem-rock that has combined with one or two of the following minerals: albite, adularia, perthite, peristerite, or sandine. The first moonstone to be historically documented was of the adularia type, found in the Adula mountains of Switzerland. However, archaeological discoveries on the island of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) prove that once again, many beautiful stones were used way before modern man decided to put a claim on them.


Moonstone wire wrapped by Beverly Brown

Natural moonstone can be found in colors of white, bluish-white, gray, silvery-white, and sometimes pale orange or peach. Some experts claim that only those stones that are white with a blue sheen can be labeled as moonstone. Most moonstone specimens contain insect-like parallel inclusions that are known as "centipedes." A well-cut moonstone may show sharp eyes and occasionally four-rayed stars. The majority of gem quality moonstone found is of the adularia variety, for which another special word was invented describing the "inner glow" schiller effect, Adularescence. This property causes a milky, bluish sheen to float across the top of a well-cut stone, resembling moonbeams, thus "moonstone" received its name.


A peach moonstone that has been carved to resemble the "man in the moon." Private collection, Dale Armstrong.

Moonstone Sources and Imitations

Translucent, adularia moonstone is most often found in the form of water-worn pebbles that have eroded from pegmatite masses. In most mining locations, these gravels have formed layers between rock and dirt and the material needs to be shoveled and hauled to a rushing water source, like a sluice or a river. Here the dirt is placed onto screens so the dirt can be washed away and the moonstone bits can be separated from the remaining debris. Needless to say, good quality moonstone is rarely found in a size that might be called large.

The most popular "mines" I mention above are located in the countries of Sri Lanka, Burma, and India, where moonstone is found in the pastel shades of pink, yellow, green, and white. North American areas include Ontario, Canada, and Virginia, and in New Mexico, sanidine moonstone is a special find. Moonstone is also found in Switzerland, Madagascar, Brazil, Kenya, and western Australia.

The most common imitation for moonstone is glass, usually a type of glass known as opalite. Chatoyant chalcedony can also be mislabeled as moonstone. You probably should also know that because the word selenite comes from the Greek word relating to the moon, some people think moonstone can also be called selenite but selenite is a totally different mineral belonging to the gypsum group, and not the feldspars.


A pair of calibrated peach-tone moonstone cabochons. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.

Moonstone in Culture

All of the different types and colors of moonstone have been known about and used by humans for centuries. In the 1800s, white moonstones were especially used in engagement rings. Due to the fact that most astronaut controlled space flights have been launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, including the expedition that landed Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin on the moon, Florida adopted moonstone as its state stone in 1970. Moonstone was once called "the traveler's stone," as some believe it will protect them from any dangers while traveling, and it is also an alternate birthstone for those born in the month of June (others being pearl and alexandrite).


Moonstone Wrapped in Argentium and 14kt Gold Filled Wire by Jane Elizabeth Duke

Ancient peoples thought the phases of the moon changed the Adularescence of a polished moonstone, becoming the best when the moon was full. As such, those who use moonstone for metaphysical reasons believe that its energy is balancing and "lunar," relating to "new beginnings." Moonstone is used to cleanse negativity from the aura, and its energies are attainable when the stone is either worn or carried.


Carved Moonstone Faces wrapped in sterling silver wire by Tina Bowersox

Resources

Print Resources:

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North America Rocks and Minerals by Charles W. Chesterman and Kurt E. Lowe, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Colored Stone, Vol. 22 No. 6, Dec 2009, Interweave Press
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Love Is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9

Internet Resources:

www.mindat.org
www.wikipedia.org
www.yourdictionary.com