Moonstones - Facts about this wonderful Gemstone you should never miss
Among the most symbolically rich objects or creations in nature is the moon. An unmissable object in our night sky and the source of many a rich story, history tale or the messenger of a future mystical event.
The moon is beautiful as it is mysterious. So it is only right that a gemstone, a somewhat exotic but captivating one, comes to symbolise the mystery of the moon as a wearable gem. Enter the moonstone.
Among the less well-known but visually distinct gems in the market, this wonderful comes packed with interesting features and facts. On this Education page, we provide a number of interesting facts about the moonstone that you should never miss.
Fact 01: Moonstones have a Distinct Mineralogical Character
Much of the content online on moonstones have centred around the visual character of the stone and its great symbolic value. This is understandable given that moonstones, unlike the more popular gemstone types such as diamonds and sapphires or rubies, little is known about moonstones, and new entrants to the debate on gemstones and gemstone character tend not to have much time to learn about the mineralogical features and the like.
This is understandable however when it comes to learning about the key facts about moonstones it is important to have a core understanding of what they are in reality. Moonstones are a variant in the feldspar group of minerals. And this group of minerals are among the most abundant in nature, but they differ in terms of the specific class of the mineral.
The feldspar group of minerals come in a number of varieties that are divided into classes. With the orthoclase being among the rarest. What sets the moonstone apart from the others is that it forms a combination of two such feldspar classes: the orthoclase and another sodium aluminium silicate known as albite. Moonstones are technically recognised under the albite group.
For it is the combination of the orthoclase and albite and the unique mineral composition it gives to and with it the distinct visual character. Which in turn varies among a number of type of moonstones or colour variants.
Fact 02: Moonstones come in an Array of Colours
The first point to consider is that there is no single dominant colour when it comes to the selection of moonstones in the market. Whilst there are certain dominant hues or colour combinations such as blue, pink, dark green grey and arguably the most famous the turquoise variant.
Now it is important to note that when it comes to moonstones the most dominant feature is not just the colour per se. Whilst the dominant hue of the given moonstone is a point of consideration, with blue, green and turquoise ones, and notably, that combine darker tones with the said hues. However what sets the moonstones truly apart from most other top gemstones in the market is a distinct visual feature that is determined by the stone’s mineralogical feature, which we shall engage later.
Fact 03: Moonstones have Long History of Use
Next, another interesting feature of moonstones is their rich history of use. Moonstones, whilst might seem like an exotic or extremely rare gemstone type, and they are in some ways, they have a rich history of use. Moonstones have been recognised for their value and distinct visual character, a practice that goes hundreds of years. Ancient civilizations notably in South Asia used them for a variety of purposes. In countries like Ceylon (Sri Lanka) moonstones were used in decorative addition to ancient palaces and the like. With smaller, more coloured variants used in jewellery.
Fact 04: Moonstones Make up One of the June Birthstones
Each month in the year has at least one designated gemstone. However certain months have more than one: the traditional birthstone and the modern variant. June is one of two months that has three. So if you were born in the month of June you are in luck as you can pick one of three alternatives. The moonstone being one of them, along with the pearl and alexandrite.
Fact 05: Moonstones Feature Adularescence
A technical term which might put off new readers. The concept of adularescence is quite simple. It refers to a phenomenon that is caused by the presence of two types of feldspar minerals that make up this gem. One that affects the manner light interacts with these stones: The layered character of moonstone consisting of these two minerals allows light to fall between them, causing the photons to move in different directions. One that produces a lighting effect that basically ripples through the stone.
Adularescence is a function of the interwoven properties of the two feldspar minerals found in a single gem making it a rather unique phenomenon in nature. The unique glow that sets the moonstone apart from other gemstones is how the light seems to move across or through the stone, producing a wonderful effect.
Fact 06: Moonstones have Rich Symbolic Value
Moonstones true to their name have long been associated with our Moon. In ancient classical cultures, Moonstones were believed to be fragments of the actual moon that have found their way into Earth. In term of the symbolic value of moonstones, much of its stems from the mystical value that people across the world have attached to them.
In many cultures notably in the East moonstone were seen as a good luck charm, and wearing a stone is often associated with good luck. And given its association with good luck it naturally become a source of interest for lovers. Couples sharing jewellery with famed moonstones as a positive sign for their future.
In addition to being a good luck charm, moonstones are valued for their healing powers. A belief that is notable in region where ayurvedic practices remain popular. In cultures from India to China, moonstones are known for their power to calm down, relax and sooth the senses. And in areas where Buddhism is prevalent is used as a stone that aids meditation.
Fact 07: Moonstones are Sourced from a Number of Countries
For a long time, moonstones were sourced only from a handful of countries. With nations in South and South East Asia leading the way. The problem was not necessarily with the supply of moonstones, but with the availability top gemstone quality moonstones that showcased rich hues in relation to having adularescence.
The top moonstones are known to come from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) a country known for its rich mineralogical heritage. With top quality coloured moonstones in variety of hues are sourced from here; where the stones are often found along side other gems such as corundum. Today the supply of moonstones has spread out to other nations, with other top mining nations such as Brazil, Australia, and Madagascar entering the fray.
Fact 08: Moonstones are Relatively Soft in Character
In the world of gemstones, a key quality consideration is the overall durability of the stone. Which is measured by the gem's hardness in relation to other stones that make up the gemstone range. Among the hardest are the sapphires and rubies which have hardness rating, measured by the Mohs scale: coming in at 9.0. This list is topped by the all conquering Diamond which tops out at 10.0 in the Mohs scale.
Moonstones on the other hand fall in the range of 6 – 6.5 in the Mohs scale for hardness and are relatively on the softer side. At least in comparison to the big players. However, it is no soft that it cannot be used in the making of jewellery. And moonstones provided the wearer is willing to exercise adequate care is a solid gemstone option for jewellery.
Fact 09: Moonstone make an Interesting Jewellery Option
In the world of jewellery, particularly the high fine jewellery segment that relates engagement rings and other types of bridal jewellery, moonstones are generally a rarer option. Top jewellery companies generally do not push their moonstone jewellery collection, provided they actually feature an inventory of these stones.
When it comes to the adoption of moonstones for the making modern jewellery items a number of factors seem to work against them and also for them. As noted moonstones owing to their mineralogical character are not the hardest stones out there. This makes them a less than optimal choice when it comes to the making of top jewellery like engagement rings which require highly durable stones. Given that moonstones score relatively lower in the Mohs scale for hardness this selection might prove tricky. Thus they generally come to feature in fancy jewellery.
Next when it comes to purchasing high end moonstones, the task of actually getting hold of them is often tricky. For it is not only the distinct hues that are popular in the world moonstones but the presence of the phenomenon of adularescence in a significant manner that is a challenge in terms of availbilty. Thus when it comes to moonstone jewellery, particularly the fine jewellery types, their selection generally comes to customer preference.
Another stylistic consideration for moonstone jewellery buyers is that the stones themselves are often sold in the cabochon: which are stones that are shaped and polished with no visible cuts and faceting to the surface. So those looking for this gemstone will have to prefer this shape, however cut moonstones are available but customers will have to shop around and be mindful of other gemstone quality factors.
Fact 10: The Most Famous Moonstone!?
This a secondary point, but some of you may have heard of the ‘Rainbow Moonstone’: which is a gemstone that has moonstone like features but appears different in terms of the striking range of colours that it presents on its surface. Whilst the rainbow moonstone as it is called is also part of the feldspar group, it differs mineralogically from authentic moonstones in that it is dominant in calcium and sodium as opposed to potassium which is dominant in in orthoclase feldspar. This makes the rainbow moonstone a type of labradorite that is known for its luminescence.
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