Moonstone is colourless, very translucent, or almost perfectly transparent feldspar, which in certain direction reflects a bluish, milky light, that has been compared to the light of the moon.

Moonstone is a potassium feldspar of the orthoclase species with white shimmer, similar to moonshine (therefore the name), called adularescence. Thin alternating layers of orthoclase and albite create the light interference in this material that is responsible for its "shiller" or "floating moon effect".

Only specimens which show this sheen in a typical manner are cut as gems. To display the beauty of this stone to the best possible advantage , it is cut with a convex, polished surface of moderately strong curvature about the face which exhibits the sheen. The stone is very effective in cut and polished spheres, which may be strung together and worn as beads or for other ornamental purposes, when they have a certain resemblance to white pearls. Moonstone is always cut either en cabochon or with a plane surface, never with facets.

Moonstone Simulants

Imitated by adularescent synthetic spinel (possibly with mirror-like back coating), milky chalcedony, glass - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 8. [37]

Moonstone Gemstone meaning: passionate love that will fly you to the moon.

It is said if you give your lover a moonstone necklace when the moon is full you will always have passion with each other. Moonstone is a highly valued gemstone for these reasons:

• Brings good fortune
• Assists in foretelling the future
• Enhances intuition
• Promotes inspiration
• Brings success in love as well as business matters
• Offers protection on land and at sea

The moonstone is associated with the moon and was the stone of the goddess Diana. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is in a full moon.

It has been worn as an amulet to bring good emotions to the wearer, while protecting those of a sensitive nature. It can reunite lovers who have quarreled. Moonstone is also considered a good luck stone.

Moonstone is a very personal stone. It is a reflection of the person who owns it. It does not add or detract, only shows how it is. This is why the moonstone is said to perceive that which "is". Moonstone is an excellent stone to use in meditation to understand oneself. Placing it in the moonlight of a moon reaching its fullness, not a full or waning moon, can revitalize it. This is a particularly good gemstone for women. It is a good stone for young women or teenagers.

Moonstone is used by healers to stimulate the functioning of the pineal gland and balance internal hormone cycles with nature's rhythms. Moonstone is a stone of inner growth and strength. Though often considered to be a woman's stone, it can be beneficial to men in opening the emotional self.

There are two moonstones. Adularia moonstone is an almost transparent pale gray or silvery white or blue shimmer. It is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India and Madagascar. Albite moonstone is in the feldspar group. It is semitransparent with a pale, shimmering reflection. It may be a little dull. It comes mainly from Canada. [5]