Learn About Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
Moonstone
- Feldspar
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
- Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June Birthstone
Round
Oval
Round
OvalOverview
A jewel named after the moon ought to be intriguing, and this June birthstone certainly is. Jewelry enthusiasts will know that the moonstone isn't a recent discovery. It has existed for centuries and was even found buried in early Egyptian tombs.
Across the world's many cultures, there have been several myths attached to the moonstone. For instance, both ancient Romans and Hindus believed that this gem was born from the moon's drops and beams.
1. Key Origin
- Moonstone is more popular than pearls and alexandrites in Germany
- Moonstone has existed for centuries and was even found buried in early Egyptian tombs.
2. Associations
- Romans and Hindus believed moonstone was born from the moon's drops and beams.
- Moonstone was said to bring good luck and fortune into the lives of those who wear it
- Associated with intuition, romance, dreams, love, and emotions
Properties
Rated 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
The Mohs scale was developed to measure the basic hardness of a gem. This method also helps us gauge their durability. Moonstone has a rating of 6 to 6.5 on this scale, which means it isn't too sturdy. This gem also has a property called double cleavage, which makes it prone to breakage if subjected to a hard blow.
So. if you're considering buying moonstone jewelry, then keep in mind that this beautiful gem is also delicate and needs to be treated with extra love and care.
02Treatment
Unlike many other colored gems, moonstones generally do not require any kind of treatment or enhancements. That said, in rare cases, this jewel might be surface-coated to improve the appearance.
Chalcedony and certain types of synthetic spinel may come across as clones. However, they look cheaper in comparison to the moonstone and are easily distinguishable as well.
Lab-created moonstones are not available in the market yet.
Know About Other Gems
Moonstone
"Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.”
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
- Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
- Round
Oval
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a moonstone's true value:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- Moonstones can be found in a colorless state and even in shades of white.
- Moonstone is available in body colors (background hue) ranging from brown, yellow, and green to almost black and grey.
- Unwanted tints of blue, yellow, or green on the surface of this gem will bring down its value.
02Carat
- Good feature about this gemstone is that it is available in various sizes and carat weights.
- High-quality moonstones with a valuable blue sheen are not easy to find in bigger carat weights.
03Clarity
- A high-quality moonstone typically has a clean surface and lacks visible inclusions.
- It is normal for this gem to develop short pairs of cracks that run parallel to one another.
- Any other kinds of inclusions, may have the capability to affect the adularescence; and thereby bringing down the moonstone's value.
04Cuts
- Cabochon moonstones are frequently used for a variety of jewelry.
- This particular type of cut is highly preferred as it maximizes the presence of adularescence.
- Faceted moonstones are in demand as they help conceal the inclusions while ensuring the glow of the gem doesn't get affected.
Quality & Grading
Based on its various properties, the moonstone can be further distinguished into the following categories of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  White | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Round Moonstone Solitaire Infinity Knot Pendant$309 |
| Best (AAA) |  Off White | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Bezel-Set Round Moonstone Ring with Diamond Accents$889 |
| Better (AA) |  Yellowish White | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Oval Moonstone Solitaire Pendant with Diamond$319 |
| Good (A) |  Grayish White | Slightly Included | Low | Top 75% |
Basket-Set Round Moonstone Studs$199 |
Latest Pick from Moonstone Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Classic Solitaire Oval Moonstone and Diamond Collar Ring
$1279
Oval Moonstone Bypass Ring with Trio Diamond Accents
$1219
Vintage Style Oval Moonstone and Diamond Scroll Ring
$1349
Oval Moonstone Vintage Style Ring with Diamond Accents
$1869
Tapered Shank Oval Moonstone Ring with Trio Diamond Accent
$1229
Care Instructions
A unique iridescence is what makes the moonstone extremely special. But over a period of time, this gem's beauty can get affected due to external factors. It is, therefore, essential to ensure you clean and store this gem correctly.
FAQs
1. Is moonstone a natural gemstone?
Yes, moonstone is a natural gemstone. It belongs to the feldspar mineral family and is cherished for its unique adularescence—a glowing, ethereal light effect that moves across its surface. This natural phenomenon makes moonstone a favorite for both collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.
2. Are moonstones valuable?
Yes, moonstones are valuable, especially those with a strong glow and clear, transparent bodies. Rainbow moonstones or larger, high-quality pieces can be more expensive.
3. Are moonstones colorless?
Moonstones can be colorless, but they also come in hues such as white, gray, peach and blue. The most sought-after moonstones often have a clear or colorless body that beautifully enhances their signature adularescence, creating a captivating glow.
4. Are moonstones graded differently than other gemstones?
Moonstones are graded based on their clarity, cut, size and the quality of adularescence. Unlike diamonds, which use the 4Cs system, moonstones are evaluated for their visual appeal and optical phenomena rather than strict standardized criteria.
5. Are moonstones treated?
Moonstones are natural gemstones and are prized for their captivating adularescence, a glowing light effect that seems to dance across the surface. While most moonstones are untreated, some may undergo minor enhancements, such as heat treatment to improve their clarity or color.
