Moonstone is one of the best known semi-precious gemstones in the world. The beautiful sheen and glow of moonstone has captivated civilization for centuries. Moonstone is one of the gemstones representing June birthdays, as well as Pearl and Alexandrite, so we wanted to focus on this gorgeous stone this month!

 

Moonstone is classed in the Orthoclase Feldspar group and is composed of layers of potassium aluminum silicate. The main recognizable characteristic is the way light moves through the stone, causing it to look like it is glowing. This characteristic is called Adularescence. It is caused by slightly different layers of feldspar (both orthoclase and plagioclase) diffusing the light differently, causing it to light up in a completely different colour. Moonstone is on the softer side of gemstones, falling between a 6 and 6.5 on the hardness scale. It can be cut into cabochon, faceted, or carved pieces. It is found and mined all over the world including Australia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. The gemstone people think of when they think Moonstone is actually called Rainbow Moonstone, it is white with a deep blue sheen, but Moonstone actually comes in a variety of colours, including Peach and Grey, both of which have a white toned flash. We have a great selection of these beautiful soft coloured gems, check all of them out!

 

Moonstone has been admired for centuries. Ancient civilizations recognized the beauty and elegance of this gem, and immediately connected its appearance with the moon. It has been used in religious ceremonies and jewellery for as far back as we can find. Romans associated the gem with the goddess Luna, and ancient Greek culture associated it with the goddesses Selene, Artemis, and Hecate.  In the rich history of Moonstone many different legends have been written about how it is formed and used. Most strong is its association with the moon. It was believed that the stone contained captured rays of moonlight, such a beautiful thought.

 

Moonstone has long been treasured for perceived healing qualities. Due to the strong moon connection it has long been considered the stone of the feminine. Moonstone helps to amplify primarily female characteristics, such as mental strength, love, labour, compassion, passion, protection, and intuition. It also enhances the ability to accept change, promotes a feeling of calm, and encourages peace and balance. This gemstone is a great addition to any collection, and wearing it can help you feel connected with the power of the phases of the moon, and all the powerful female goddesses that have claimed it as their stone.