August 17, 2020

Stone Stories: Moonstone

By Sarah DeAngelo
Stone Stories: Moonstone
Moonstone is a type of feldspar mineral orthoclase and can come in a variety of colors, such as yellow and brown. During formation, orthoclase and albite separate into alternating layers. When light falls between these thin layers it is scattered producing the phenomenon called adularescence. Adularescence is the light that appears to reflect within the gemstone. So dreamy!

Moonstone is one of the most mythical of all gemstones. With its exotic, lunar name and its milky unique rainbow sheen, it has been a highly prized stone throughout history. Moonstone is a sacred stone to the people of India, and was named by the Romans for its ability to reflect moon light, making it a sacred stone to this culture as well. Legend has it that amulets of moonstone, associated with the goddesses Isis (Egyptian), Diana (Roman) and Selene (Greek), were hung in fruit trees to produce abundant crops.  Moonstone is one of the birthstones for the month of June (along with pearl).