Named so because of the effect of the shimmering play of white or blue lights on its surface, similar to the reflection of the moon on the surface of the water. The moonstone is a rare (large or fine quality), mystical gemstone that hides symbolic charges.
Lets discover all about Moonstone.
Origins and characteristics
- is a variety of the mineral orthoclase (from the feldspar group), with the chemical formula KAlSi3O8 (contains sodium, aluminum and potassium silicate);
- when the stone is formed, the orthoclase and albite in its composition separate into thin, microscopically thin, alternating layers. The light that penetrates between these layers is scattered, producing adularescence – the effect of trapped light within the stone (hence Moonstone’s other name – Adular);
- comes from India;
- the colors of the stone can vary from colorless to white, grey, green, peach, brown. The predominant shade, however, is cream/beige and has a specific pattern of fine parallel layers, glassy, pearl-like appearance;
- the Mohs scale hardness of Moonstone is 6 to 6.5 out of 10;
- it is a light, relatively cold stone.
Legend
As its name suggests, the gem is closely related to the star of the night, a fact that has been known to the peoples of the world since ancient times.
In India, its country of origin, the Moonstone has been and continues to be considered sacred, bringing good luck. The Indians called it Candra Kanta and allowed it to be displayed only on a yellow cloth (the most sacred color).
Indian legend of the stone originates from Ganesh, the four-handed god of the moon, who is said to have held it in his forehead. Hindu mythology also considers this gem capable of giving prophetic powers to its wearer.
Ancient Eastern cultures generally considered stones that show the phenomenon of light coming from within to be the hosts of good spirits.
The moonstone enjoyed impressive popularity in the Roman Empire, whose people believed it to be formed from moonbeams and to be a form of manifestation of the goddess Diana.
The ancient Greeks called it ‘Aphroselena’, a combination of the name Aphrodite, goddess of love, and Selena, goddess of the moon.
World mystics often used it for meditation, the movement of the inner light becoming a calming facilitator for these practices;
sorcerers used it according to the phases of the moon, for spells of waxing and waning.
Field workers believed that the Moonstone placed in the ground on a full moon night would increase the yield and fertility of the land.
Based on the ancient idea that the Moon influences the waters, some sailors wore the Moonstone as a protective talisman on sea voyages.
Some people used it to call a love into their lives, as well as for fertility.
Ancient Asians used the Moonstone for restful sleep as a remedy for insomnia.
Curiosities about Moonstone
- because it is fragile, it should not be kept with harder stones;
- its colour becomes fainter in direct sunlight;
- it is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature;
- it can be confused with Opal Glass or Opalite – a synthetic stone that imitates Moonstone;
- gem value is determined in a similar way to gemstones: by color, clarity, cut and carat;
- cared for by washing with clean water and soap;
- was extremely popular in Art Nouveau jewelry in the first half of the 20th century.
Moonstone – properties and benefits
Given the gemstone’s enchanting origins and the legends associated with it over thousands of years, belief in the semiprecious stone’s powers is still held. Choose to wear Moonstone jewelry for both its unique beauty and spiritual benefits:
- emotional balance
- purity and openness of soul
- love and hope
- fertility, wish fulfillment
- protection
- soothing sleep
- optimism
- decision making
- reducing stress and conflict