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With its celestial glow, captivating reflections, and satin-smooth surface, moonstone has fascinated people for millennia, evoking the celestial body whose name it bears. Today it graces all kinds of jewelry, prized for its soft, pale hue - one that pairs especially beautifully with cool metals such as silver or white gold, which complement the stone's bluish pearlescent white to perfection.
In Sanskrit, moonstone is called "chandrakant," meaning "beloved of the moon". When it was discovered by Jean-Claude Delamétherie in 1801, he named it "hecatolite," in reference to the Greek lunar goddess Hecate. Today, it is most commonly known by a trade name largely inspired by its appearance.
Moonstone is a gem rooted in the mythology of many cultures, carrying symbolism and history of special significance. In antiquity, it was believed that this stone came directly from the sky and was created by lunar rays. It was associated with great goddesses such as Diana among the Romans and Artemis among the Greeks. It was also linked to the art of divination, giving rise to rituals in which men would dress as women and place a moonstone in their mouths to predict the future. Since 1970, this gem has been the official state gemstone of Florida, in tribute to the first Moon landings by rockets launched from the Kennedy Space Center.
Moonstone carries powerful symbolism and offers many virtues to those who wear it. For example, women in the Middle East would wear a moonstone bracelet to boost their fertility. This gem is indeed known for symbolizing femininity, as well as dreams and imagination.
Long used in cultural rituals for its powerful symbolism, moonstone experienced a resurgence in popularity at the end of the 19th century, during the Art Nouveau movement. Today, this gem is featured on many jewelry pieces such as the moonstone necklace, thanks to its white hue that brings understated elegance.
As for its production, moonstone forms in plutonic and alkaline rocks, particularly granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. The main deposits are found in Sri Lanka and India, but it is also found in Myanmar (Burma), Africa, Australia, Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Madagascar, and Tanzania.
Moonstone is a gem belonging to the silicate group and the feldspar family. This semi-precious stone is a variety of orthoclase with a monoclinic crystal structure, composed of aluminum and potassium double silicate. In terms of hardness, moonstone rates 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, with a density of 2.5 to 2.7.
It is a transparent or translucent stone, generally colorless, which can sometimes display glassy or pearlescent reflections ranging from silvery blue to silvery white. These are caused by the phenomenon of adularescence (the Schiller effect). This is precisely what evokes the light of the moon, giving the stone its name. Some moonstones can also display a yellow, orange, pink, or even red hue. The color results from impurities that penetrated the stone during its formation.
On an emotional level, moonstone is predominantly feminine in nature, owing to the celestial body it is linked to and from which it takes its name. It is a gem that stimulates intuition, imagination, and prophetic dreams. It nurtures feelings of love, sensitivity, gentleness, receptivity, and open-mindedness. With its calming energy, it also helps soothe anxiety and stress. Finally, it can aid in decision-making.
On a physical level, moonstone is highly recommended for relieving all kinds of feminine ailments (menstrual pain, menopause, hormonal balance, fertility, breastfeeding, etc.). It is also recommended for easing labor pains. Additionally, this gem has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, skin conditions, and the lymphatic system. It helps regulate toxins and supports the treatment of sexual health issues.
Moonstone is a gem that is sensitive to shocks and scratches, so it is advisable to store your moonstone-set jewelry in a separate case, away from other stones and jewelry pieces.
To clean it, a little cold water and dish soap are all you need. Simply scrub gently with a small brush, rinse, then dry the stone with a soft cloth.
The online jewelry store Ocarat offers a wide selection of jewelry set with this gem: earrings, pendants, moonstone rings… Paired with yellow gold, white gold, or silver, you'll have your choice from a broad range of styles at unbeatable prices. Each piece comes with a detailed description providing all the product information you need to shop with confidence.
Within thirty days of your purchase, Ocarat gives you the option of a full refund if the jewelry doesn't meet your expectations. Browse all your favorite pieces on Ocarat and treat yourself in just a few clicks.
Moonstone is a generally colorless gem with glassy or pearlescent reflections. Its appearance, reminiscent of the celestial body it is named after, is a reliable clue to identification. Be careful, however, not to confuse it with rainbow moonstone, which, although similar, belongs to a different mineral: labradorite.
Particularly sensitive to shocks and scratches, moonstone should be kept away from other stones and jewelry to minimize the risk of damage. To clean it, cold water, dish soap, and a small brush are all you need to restore its original luster.
The most prized moonstones are those with silvery blue reflections or well-defined white specimens. As for cut, the cabochon style best showcases the stone's adularescence. It is precisely this adularescence that strongly influences its value.
Finally, clarity should be taken into account. The stone should have a satiny surface and clear transparency, with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. The more transparent it is, the greater its value.
Whatever jewelry style you're looking for, Ocarat offers a wide range of pieces to suit every desire. You'll enjoy quality products that will accompany you for many years to come.
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