Moonstone Jewelry May Not Dazzle But Has Mysterious Powers
by Eva Panini
Moonstone or adularia as its sometimes called is one of those unknown gemstones that would slip into obscurity were it nor for the designers that often times invigorate a gemstone by using it in highly publicized pieces.
Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase which is a mineral species in the feldspar group. They generally appear transparent to opaque and in terms of color they range from colorless to white and sometimes green, orange, yellow to brown and gray to nearly black. Moonstone is commonly known for its adularescence which is a term best described as meaning having a milky, bluish luster or glow that seems to come from beneath the surface of the gemstone. This characteristic optical quality of moonstone results from the interplay of light with layers of tiny albite crystals giving it a billowy effect when observed in light that moves.
Rainbow moonstone jewelry reveals different colors from different angles and rainbow moonstone is commonly cut in cabochon to flat because it is in these shapes that the optical effects of rainbow moonstone are most evident. Rainbow moonstone is a bit of a misnomer because it isn’t moonstone at all but is actually labradorite. Moonstone jewelry is more than likely going to be in silver because it is not considered a precious or even semi precious gem.
The more commercial moonstone jewelry does not use the more valuable moonstone from Sri Lanka. Many years ago the larger and more valuable blue sheen moonstones were quite available and in abundance and they could be bought for affordable prices and silver moonstone jewelry with this grade of moonstone was reasonably priced. However in today’s market these gems are five to ten times as much and so most find their way into the homes of collectors rather then being used for blue moonstone jewelry.
The only source thus far for blue sheen moonstone has been Sri Lanka and production ended as early as 1987. That being the case many jewelry makers and designers that must use the blue sheen variety have to sort through antique moonstone jewelry and vintage moonstone jewelry to find those specimens that are of the blue sheen variety and are undamaged.
Moonstone has a lot of superstition associated with it. It was believed to have mystical powers and was said to be protective of women and babies. Other legends associate it with the sea and planting cycles and that it helped with the balance of yin and yang. In the middle ages it was believed to have the capability of curing epilepsy and was also a highly prized gift for lovers because it arouses tender passion and brings good fortune.
In general moonstone was considered an aid in love, sleep and was associated with the divine. hence you see a lot of Celtic moonstone jewelry being made in silver along with moonstone jewelry for men since it was the bringer of good luck. People still buy moonstone jewelry for some of these reasons. Moonstone jewelry earrings and moonstone jewelry rings are most popular among people who are more mystical in their outlook. You will see moonstone jewelry adorning most psychics and fortune tellers for this reason.
Moonstone or adularia as its sometimes called is one of those unknown gemstones that would slip into obscurity were it nor for the designers that often times invigorate a gemstone by using it in highly publicized pieces.
Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase which is a mineral species in the feldspar group. They generally appear transparent to opaque and in terms of color they range from colorless to white and sometimes green, orange, yellow to brown and gray to nearly black. Moonstone is commonly known for its adularescence which is a term best described as meaning having a milky, bluish luster or glow that seems to come from beneath the surface of the gemstone. This characteristic optical quality of moonstone results from the interplay of light with layers of tiny albite crystals 
giving it a billowy effect when observed in light that moves like in this moonstone cuff below to the left
Rainbow moonstone jewelry reveals different colors from different angles and rainbow moonstone is commonly cut in cabochon to flat because it is in these shapes that the optical effects of rainbow moonstone are most evident. Rainbow moonstone is a bit of a misnomer because it isn’t moonstone at all but is actually labradorite. Moonstone jewelry is more than likely going to be in silver because it is not considered a precious or even semi precious gem.
The more commercial moonstone jewelry does not use the more valuable moonstone from Sri Lanka. Many years ago the larger and more valuable blue sheen moonstones were quite available and in abundance and they could be bought for affordable prices and silver moonstone jewelry with this grade of moonstone was reasonably priced. However in today’s market these gems are five to ten times as much and so most find their way into the homes of collectors rather then being used for blue moonstone jewelry.
The only source thus far for blue sheen moonstone has been Sri Lanka and production ended as early as 1987. That being the case many jewelry makers and designers that must use the blue sheen variety have to sort through antique moonstone jewelry and vintage moonstone jewelry to find those specimens that are of the blue sheen variety and are undamaged.
Moonstone has a lot of superstition associated with it. It was believed to have mystical powers and was said to be protective of women and babies. Other legends associate it with the sea and planting cycles and that it helped with the balance of yin and yang. In the middle ages it was believed to have the capability of curing epilepsy and was also a highly prized gift for lovers because it arouses tender passion and brings good fortune.
In general moonstone was considered an aid in love, sleep and was associated with the divine. hence you see a lot of Celtic moonstone jewelry being made in silver along with moonstone jewelry for men since it was the bringer of good luck. People still buy moonstone jewelry for some of these reasons. Moonstone jewelry earrings and moonstone jewelry rings are most popular among people who are more mystical in their outlook. You will see moonstone jewelry adorning most psychics and fortune tellers for this reason.
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