Moonstone Beads

The stones can be colorless, white or ivory, slivery-gray or bluish in color. Some specimens have a ?layered? appearance while others are translucent, but all will have the distinguishing luster that gives the stone its common name. Some will even have rainbow effects.  Moonstone belongs to the feldspar group of minerals and is unique among gemstones for the inclusions of different minerals that create an iridescent shimmer known as adularescence.  The inclusions are essentially different layers of mineral that form an ideal labyrinth for the reflection of the light spectrum. 

People in ancient India and other parts of Asia believed moonstones to be rays of solidified moonlight, and likened the shimmering blues and purples to a good spirit residing in the stone.  For this reason, moonstone is still considered sacred in many parts of India.  Moonstone is the birthstone for the month of June, and is given on the occasion of 13th anniversaries.  Moonstone should not be placed worn jewelry that will be regularly exposed to hard knocks or abrasion. When storing, protect it from coming into contact with (and being scratched by) harder stones such as diamond, topaz,  beryl , rubies, tourmaline and sapphires.  Moonstone can occur in a few varieties other than the typical blue-white-silver-cream range of colors commonly seen.   Some moonstones diplay more of a prominent "rainbow effect" and are called  rainbow moonstones .     Occasionally one sees red, pink, orange or red-brown moonstones; however the black stone marketed as  black moonstone  is in fact a type of labradorite.

Moonstone has been categorized into two types:  Adularia Moonstone , which is more transparent, and typically originates in Asian countries such as Burma and India; and  Albite Moonstone , which is typically less transparent, and mainly originates from Canada.   [2]  You may occasionally find moonstone referred to as simply "adularia" or "selenite", but more typically, it is all "lumped" together and simply labeled as moonstone - and it is up to the buyer to discern the indentity and quality of what they are getting. 

Moonstone ranges from transparent to opaque and is naturally found in colors that span a range from colorless to white with adularescence in blue, white, or rainbow color. The more transparent and colorless the moonstone, the more valuable it is. Moonstone is occasionally found in green, orange, yellow to brown or gray to black.  Moonstone typically exhibits the phenomena of adularescence in which a bluish-white light seems to hover over the stone as it moves. This phenomena originates from the interior structure of the gemstone. Incoming light is refracted inside the stone and scattered, creating a unique play of light. A combination of orthoclase and albite arranged in layers causes the lovely sheen. 

Moonstone is best cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes can cause moonstone to crack, so steam cleaners should be avoided. Ultrasonic cleaners are also not considered safe for moonstones. Moonstones have cleavage in two directions, so they should be mounted in settings that can protect them from hard knocks.  Moonstone  is the birthstone of September.  Like the opalescent gem for which it was named,  Moonstone  is a lustrous, incandescent fragrance of ethereal beauty. It opens with narcissus, followed by gardenia, and then the base of amber, vanilla, musk, oakmoss and tobacco flower.  Moonstone was named the state gemstone of Florida in 1970 after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's historic landing on the moon.  State legislatures sought to adopt the gemstone because the flight originated at the Kennedy Space center in Florida.  Ironically, moonstone can't be found in Florida, nor was it found on the moon. 

During the Art Nouveau period, moonstone was extremely popular and was used to decorate much of the jewely created by Ren? Lalique.  In many cultures, moonstone is regarded as a sacred and magical stone.  For example, in India, it is believed to bring sweet dreams and good fortune.  Women in Arab countries often wore moonstone sewn into their clothing because the gemstone was considered a symbol of fertility.  Moonstone fosters happiness, gracefulness, good fortune, hope, spiritual insight, easy childbirth, safe travel on water, new beginnings and adjusting to changes, abundance and ancient wisdom.   Especially for water signs.  Motherly love, support, encouragement.  Moonstone has been a popular gemstone from antiquity.

The Romans frequently used the gem in their jewelry, and it continued to be valued through the medieval period in Europe. The stone is also seen in classic jewels from India and the Middle East. A revival occurred in the Victorian period, and it is often seen in Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewelry (1880's - 1910's).  Moonstone has a specific gravity of 2.55 - 2.58.   The clarity ranges from transparent to translucent.  Moonstone has a refractive index of 1.533 to 1.552 and a vitreous to pearly surface luster.  The refractive index (RI), measured using a refractometer, is an indication of the amount light rays are bent by a mineral. Birefringence is the difference between the minimum and maximum RI. When birefringence is high, light rays reflect off different parts of the back of a stone causing an apparent doubling of the back facets when viewed through the front facet. 

A moonstone is  also said to bring good luck and be a powerful amulet that protects the wearer but it is also supposed to bring love and help with intuition and relax the wearer when anxious. As the moonstone, like the moon, is also associated with femininity, this stone is said to help with period pains, the menopause and is supposed to improve fertility.  Whether you believe in the moonstone's healing properties or not  it is also a very nice gemstone to wear in jewelry as it has other, more visible, special properties.