and characterised by a glowing light effect known as adularescence, the
visibility of which is confined to a restricted angle of view. The most
valuable of the feldspar gems.
Moonstone shows an almost magical play of light as its characteristic
feature. It owes its name to this mysterious gleaming which appears
different whenever the stone changes its position in movement. Experts call
this the "adularescence", and in earlier times the phases of waxing and
waning moon were though to be discerned in this phenomenon.
Moonstones are Nature's treasures with a sensuous and seductive charm. The
do not only ask to be looked at and admired, the require to be worn and
moved a lot. Because only then the soft veil of light which makes this
gemstone so attractive will be able to display its beauty to the best
effect.
Varieties - Some may exhibit cat's eye effect.
Sources - Sri Lanka
History - Considered a love charm, moonstone has been attributed the power
to arouse tender passions and foretell the future. Therapeutic qualities
include protection from lunacy, appeaser of anger and relief from fever.
Cut and Uses - Usually en cabochon, sometimes carved into cameos. Generally
used as an inexpensive stone for rings, pendants, etc
Moonstone from Sri Lanka, the classical country of origin for Moonstone,
shimmers pale blue on almost transparent ground. Specimen from India shoe
cloudlike plays of light and shade on beige brown, green, orange or simple
brown background. These subdued colors in combination with the fine shine
make Moonstone an ideal gemstone for jewellery with a sensuous and feminine
character. This gemstone was once before extremely popular, about a hundred
years ago in the times of Art Nouveau. It used to decorate a striking amount
of pieces of jewellery created by the famous French Master Goldsmith René
Lalique and by his contemporaries. These pieces are usually only found in a
museum or in collections nowadays.
Moonstone symbolizes a holistic view of man and woman. Its soft shine will
support the emotional and dreamy tendencies of a person. The associations
thus involved make Moonstone of course the ideal stone for lovers, reputed
to bring forth feelings of tenderness and to protect true love. It is also
reported that wearing a Moonstone will further intuition and your
sensitivity for others.
The mystical stone belongs to the large mineral family of feldspars, which
provide almost two thirds of all stones on our Earth. In the case of
Moonstone, we are looking at the feldspar variety called "adularia" a
silicate of potassium aluminium in gemstone quality, which is also found in
the European Alps near the Adula-group - thus the name "adularia". Another
synonym for Moonstone is "Selenite", according to the Greek goddess of the
moon, Selene.
The classical, bluish and almost transparent Moonstones traditionally came
from Sri Lanka. But they are also found in the USA, in Brasil, Australia,
Myanmar, and Madagascar. Since blue Moonstones in fine qualities have become
more and more scarce in recent time, the prices have increased accordingly.
For some years now also green, blue and peach or smoke and champagne
coloured, black and reddish specimen have been offered, which come mainly
from Sri Lanka. Some of these show not only the typical the typical floating
play of light, but also a cat's eye or a multi-rayed star. These stones,
then, are not only cut as cabochons, but also cut as intricate cameos,
sometimes engraved as children's -, moon - or gargoyle face. They also show
the play of light which is so typical for Moonstone, just like the spheres
and beads made from suitable raw material to be crafted into fine necklaces.
When purchasing Moonstone you will be astonished at the striking differences
in price. The more intense the color, the larger and more transparent the
stone, the more valuable is the gem. Really top quality fine blue Moonstone
show an incredible "three-dimensional" depth of colour, which you will see
clearly only when playfully tilting the stone and moving it. Such specimen
are very rare and thus highly coveted, and of course accordingly valuable.
The brighter coloured Indian Moonstones are not only a fashion trend. They
are usually a little less expensive than the classical blue variant, so that
everybody today may pick his or her favourite Moonstone to meet exactly all
requirements of taste and budget.
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