Moonstone is a member of a group of minerals known as Feldspar to which Labradorite, Amazonite and Sunstone also belong. It comes in a wide variety of colours but only the white variety is called Rainbow Moonstone. There are many qualities and gemstones can be opaque to translucent.
Rainbow Moonstone has an opalescent lustre, is highly iridescent and is frequently mistaken for Opal. Finer quality gemstones boast a vivid blue or green flash as they pick up the light and this is known as schiller or labradorescence after Labradorite which is particularly well known for this effect.
Other colours are equally as fascinating and can display an optical phenomenon known as adularescence which is also referred to as schiller. Although similar to labradorescence, this effect is seen exclusively in Moonstone. It is extremely difficult to describe and equally as difficult to capture on camera as it requires the gemstone to be moved around hence capturing light at different angles in order for it to be seen. Adularescence is a kind of milky glow originating from below the surface of the stone. As the Moonstone is turned and catches light, it gives the impression of lunar light floating on water hence its name. A white sheen is most commonly seen although in rarer pieces, orange or blue are also visible. In Moonstone that is translucent, when held up against a bright light much of its colour disappears and with darker pieces, objects placed between the light and the gemstone can appear as an eerie shadow.
Moonstone was used extensively during the early part of the 20th century in Art Nouveau jewellery. It was also popular with the Romans who believed it was formed out of moonlight. It is known to have been used for jewellery as far back as 100 AD and in India today, it is still considered to be sacred. In Europe during the Middle Ages it was believed that if you gazed at a piece of Moonstone for long enough, you would fall into a deep sleep that would predict the future. It was also once believed to induce heated passion if placed beneath the tongues of lovers at full moon and holding a Moonstone in the mouth would refresh one's memory.
The finest grade gems come from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Sri Lanka but deposits can also be found in Brazil, Europe, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Tanzania and the U.S.A.
In crystal healing, it is said to offer protection for travellers and can also be used as a talisman to bring good fortune. It stimulates confidence and composure and allows one to understand that there is no situation so difficult that it cannot be countered with diplomacy. It aligns the vertebrae and acts as a digestive aid as well as enhancing passion and balancing the yin and yang. Medicinal properties promote digestion, calm emotions, stimulate the properties of rejuvenation and alleviate many degenerative conditions with respect to skin, hair eyes and the fleshy organs for the body.
Rainbow Moonstone is thought to have been one of the gems in the high priest's breastplate or breastplate of Aaron, an item of clothing worn during biblical times by the Jewish high priest. It is one of the birthstones for the month of June as well as being the gemstone for the 13th year of marriage. Other birthstones associated with June are Pearl, Alexandrite and Emerald.
Moonstone varies in hardness from 5 to 6.5 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
Our recommendations for further reading on Moonstone:
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Our collection of Moonstone jewellery
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