Looking at the silky and smooth surface of a moonstone cabochon and the liquid glow that seems to radiate from within the stone itself it should not be a surprise that our ancestors thought they had magical powers.
Indeed, one of the earliest legends about these gemstones was that they were created by frozen moonbeams.
Moonstone Colors
Moonstones come in a variety of subtle colors - white, cream, gray, yellow, orange, brown, pink and red are the most common. While the color is very important, of course, it is the surface sheen or shimmer - known as adularescence - that appears to float on top of the background hue that makes this gemstone so special.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Moonstone Species
Natural moonstones are a type of feldspar - a material that makes up half the world's crust. Two feldspar species, orthoclase and albite, mix together in layers as they form in the warmth of the earth's mantle before they cool and harden.
When light shines on these layers it scatters all over the place producing their famous gleam.
Rainbow Moonstone is usually grouped together with other moonstones as they have very similar sheen but it is technically a different species - labradorite.
There are also star and cat's eye moonstones which are a very unique, fine looking and spiritually powerful gemstone.
Moonstone for sale Price
To discover the value of most gemstones we usually begin with the color and go on from there to things like clarity, cut and carat weight.
Loose moonstones are a little different, we start with the shimmer or gleam - scientifically, adularescence - and then consider color, size etc.
Once it has been established that the moonstone has a lovely glow, blue is the most popular and sought after color then a clean white like the moon itself. The other colors become a matter of personal preference and are all similarly priced.
As you can see gemstone sales are not always focused on color alone.
Moonstone Carat Weight
Most moonstones are cut to be around 5 to 10 carats in weight as this size shows off the glow at its best and is a convenient size for jewelry items. The price per carat does not change as the stone gets larger.
Depending on the overall quality of the gemstone, most moonstone stones will cost between a little more than $1 per carat up to $15 per carat for the brightest stones.
Good examples of blue cabochon rainbow moonstone can range from $5 - $60 per carat and nice Cat's Eyes can be from $3 - $50 per carat.
Moonstone is nearly always cut into cabochons with flat bottoms and domed tops. Look for gemstones with quite high domes as this will show off the adularescence better.
For more details please refer to our full Moonstone Info page here
Where are Moonstones found?
Moonstone gems were famously found in Sri Lanka and can still be mined on the island. Neighboring India and Myanmar also supply good quality gemstones as well as Brazil, Madagascar, Australia and the US.
What jewelry is Moonstone suitable for?
Moonstone is rated at 6 - 6.5 on Mohs hardness scale meaning they are hard enough for most types of jewelry but some care should be taken with rings or bracelets which are exposed to more knocks and bumps than earrings or pendants.
Also, original jewelry artworks often featured the mysterious moonstone.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Moonstone is one of the official birthstones for June
Moonstones can be used to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
All moonstones we sell come with a free gemstone report. As a gemstone seller we are committed to set a high industry standard and sell natural gemstones only.
Health Benefits of Moonstone
We are occasionally asked how to best use genuine Moonstone for their spiritual and physiological advantages, and while we do not consider ourselves experts in the field, we have gained some knowledge and experience.
Wearing a Moonstone as jewelry, ideally as close to the right Chakra point as feasible, is the simplest approach to employ it to increase spiritual well-being and physical health.
Another simple technique is to have a Moonstone crystals in your pocket or handbag to act as an easy-to-reach comfort or reassurance touchstone throughout the day. If you like to meditate, place a gemstone in the palm of your hand, or simply relax and lie down with a moonstone or moonstone beads
