Moonstone

The mystic beauty of the moonstone was thought by ancient Romans to have been created by the moon.

History Of Moonstone

The ancient Romans not only thought that moonstone was created by moonlight, they also thought it influenced the phases of the moon. Ancient Romans and Europeans mined moonstone for a variety of purposes.

Moonstone Gem Facts

Moonstone gems continue to be coveted today, and are loved in jewelry making for their unique characteristics. Moonstones display unique light play, called adularescence, which is the result of the intergrowth of two types of feldspar, the mineral that comprises moonstone. This can also result in the appearance of an eye (like a cat’s eye) or star within the stone.

Moonstones are found naturally in an array of colors. The mystical moon stone is becoming more rare, but can still be found in a range of colors including:

• pink moonstone
• rainbow moonstone
• gray moonstone
• brown moonstone
• yellow moonstone
• green moonstone
• colorless moonstone
• blue moonstone

The value of moonstone ranges according to the clarity, color, and sheen of the piece. The most valuable moonstone is colorless (body color) with a blue sheen and perfect clarity. Most good quality moonstone is mined in Sri Lanka.

Buying Moonstone Jewelry

Moonstone jewelry can be collected for its value, but to the beholder, the most attractive moonstone setting that speaks to them is the one they should buy. Both new and vintage moonstone pieces are available online. Recently available pieces seen on internet sale sites include:

• moonstone rings
• antique moonstone rings
• moonstone earrings
• carved moonstone rings
• moonstone ring and necklace sets

Moonstone jewelry sometimes has a moon-face carved into it as well. This is seen in both vintage and contemporary moonstone jewelry fashions.

The heavens and our moon are sources of mysterious wonder to us here on earth. Our fascination with this force that drives our lives has lived on from the very beginnings of early civilization. We continue today to pay homage to our moon, the captain of our tides. As our societies reach further and further outward to the universe, we continue to want more and more to covet every piece of outer worlds that we can bring to our own small planet. The mystical moonstone reminds us of this passion, and so, is sought after to be held and coveted in our own small universal collections.