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Moonstone’s meaning, styling, and care
The mysterious Moonstone, one of June's birthstones, is prized for its pearly luster and characteristic blue sheen. Learn how to style and care for this beautiful gemstone.
The meaning of Moonstone
As suggested by its name, Moonstone has long been associated with the moon. In fact, the ancient Romans believed that the gem was a solid form of actual moonlight! Along with the ancient Greeks, they dedicated the stone to their moon goddess. Moonstone symbolizes feminine "yin" energy, as well as love, hope, healing, and protection.
The meaning of Moonstone
As suggested by its name, Moonstone has long been associated with the moon. In fact, the ancient Romans believed that the gem was a solid form of actual moonlight! Along with the ancient Greeks, they dedicated the stone to their moon goddess. Moonstone symbolizes feminine "yin" energy, as well as love, hope, healing, and protection.
Associated with the heart, crown, and third-eye chakras, Moonstone is said to open us to the wisdom of our subconscious. This is a wonderful stone to wear while meditating, and while sleeping, to promote positive dreams. With gentle energy, Moonstone helps us embrace our emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. Wear Moonstone jewelry to tap into your intuition and unlock your creative side.
Associated with the heart, crown, and third-eye chakras, Moonstone is said to open us to the wisdom of our subconscious. This is a wonderful stone to wear while meditating, and while sleeping, to promote positive dreams. With gentle energy, Moonstone helps us embrace our emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. Wear Moonstone jewelry to tap into your intuition and unlock your creative side.
Moonstone represents hope and new beginnings. Wear fine Moonstone jewelry when starting a new venture to calm your nerves and provide gentle encouragement. Tired at the end of a long week? Let Moonstone restore your energies and bring you back into balance. Moonstone is a birthstone for June and for the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer. It's also a gemstone for the 3rd and 13th anniversaries.
Since ancient times, humans have associated gemstones with healing properties and spiritual significance.
The pull to attach special significance to gemstones continues in modern times, with the designation in 1912 of birthstones for each month by the American National Association of Jewelers. Whether you choose a stone for its time-honored symbolism, its connection to your birth month, or simply its color, it’s fun to learn about these traditional meanings.
What is a Moonstone?
Moonstone is a variety of the mineral feldspar, and can be found throughout the world. Myanmar was once a great source of Moonstones with an especially strong blue tint, but the supply was mined out. Today, most gem-quality Moonstones come from Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Australia, and Brazil.
What is a Moonstone?
Moonstone is a variety of the mineral feldspar, and can be found throughout the world. Myanmar was once a great source of Moonstones with an especially strong blue tint, but the supply was mined out. Today, most gem-quality Moonstones come from Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Australia, and Brazil.
Moonstone is famous for its signature visual effect, called adularescence, which produces a milky, blu-ish light that seems to come from deep within the gem. The effect is caused by the diffraction of light as it hits thin layers of the minerals orthoclase and albite within the stone. Moonstones with a strong blue sheen are especially prized, and many are cut and polished into cabochons to highlight this beautiful effect.
Most people are familiar with Moonstones that are white or nearly colorless, but the gem also comes in many other hues, including beige, pink, peach, and green.
Most people are familiar with Moonstones that are white or nearly colorless, but the gem also comes in many other hues, including beige, pink, peach, and green.
More fun facts about Moonstone
• The gem used to be known as the "traveler's stone," as it was believed to offer protection while traveling, especially at night.• In Germany and Scandinavia, Moonstone is the most popular birthstone for June.
• Moonstone was used extensively in jewelry during the Art Nouveau period (1890-1910). Jewelers and designers valued the gem for its "mystical" appearance.
• In 1970, Florida declared Moonstone its official state gem, in honor of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the other space flights that launched from the Kennedy Space Center. While Moonstone has been mined in the United States, it's nowhere to be found in Florida (or the moon)!
Caring for your Moonstone jewelry
Moonstone is a moderately hard stone, rating 6-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches. Be sure to store your Moonstone jewelry in its jewelry pouch or box to keep the gem from being scratched by other stones.
Moonstone, with its tranquil, supportive energy, is a lovely gem for everyday wear. You can wear your Moonstone jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping, and exercising. Just keep it away from extreme heat and be sure not to strike it against any hard surfaces.
Moonstone, with its tranquil, supportive energy, is a lovely gem for everyday wear. You can wear your Moonstone jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping, and exercising. Just keep it away from extreme heat and be sure not to strike it against any hard surfaces.
How to clean Moonstone jewelry
Maintain the beauty of your Moonstone jewelry by keeping it clean. Use a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild, dye-free dish soap and water. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely, and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
How to clean Moonstone jewelry
Maintain the beauty of your Moonstone jewelry by keeping it clean. Use a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild, dye-free dish soap and water. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely, and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
How to wear Moonstone
With its nearly colorless appearance and unique blu-ish gleam, Moonstone makes a quiet statement on its own, but also complements other gems nicely.
How to wear Moonstone
With its nearly colorless appearance and unique blu-ish gleam, Moonstone makes a quiet statement on its own, but also complements other gems nicely.
Moonstone's distinct blu-ish sheen lets the gem pair beautifully with other blue stones, such as Sapphire and Nantucket Blue Topaz. Try wearing these gemstones with a classic navy outfit.
Moonstone's distinct blu-ish sheen lets the gem pair beautifully with other blue stones, such as Sapphire and Nantucket Blue Topaz. Try wearing these gemstones with a classic navy outfit.
Moonstone and Pink Opal look wonderful together, creating a delicate pastel color story that's infinitely wearable.
Rosy Pink Tourmaline is a wonderful partner for pearly white Moonstone. This gemstone combination is featured in HAVERHILL's Pink Awareness Collection; 10% of the purchase price of this jewelry goes to Bright Pink, a nonprofit devoted to helping women understand and reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Moonstone and Pink Opal look wonderful together, creating a delicate pastel color story that's infinitely wearable.
Rosy Pink Tourmaline is a wonderful partner for pearly white Moonstone. This gemstone combination is featured in HAVERHILL's Pink Awareness Collection; 10% of the purchase price of this jewelry goes to Bright Pink, a nonprofit devoted to helping women understand and reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
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FAQ
Tradition says that wearing your birthstone is good luck, so if you're a June baby, it's a great choice for jewelry! Moonstone is considered to be a very lucky stone in general, so it makes a wonderful gem for everybody.
Moonstone is one of June's birthstones; the other is Alexandrite.
People wear gemstones for many reasons, not just because it’s the birthstone for the month they were born. You may choose to wear a stone because you feel a connection to the color, because its traditional meaning resonates with you, or because it reminds you of someone you love, such as a child, friend, or loved one who’s passed away. Jewelry is extremely personal and you should feel free to wear any gemstone that speaks to you.
Both of these popular gemstones have a pearly luster, and tend to be white or nearly colorless, though they can be found in a variety of hues. The unique sheen of Moonstone is almost always blu-ish, while Opal's visual effect (aptly called opalescence) displays a prism of colors.