Moonstone: Meaning, Properties, Types & Valu

TOC

• 1. What Is Moonstone?
• 2. Moonstone History and Name
• 3. Moonstone Properties
• 4. Types of Moonstone
• 4-1. Adularia Moonstone
• 4-2. Rainbow Moonstone
• 4-3. Belomorite Moonstone
• 4-4. Labradorite and Black Moonstone
• 5. Moonstone Value
• 6. How to Tell Real Moonstone and Coated Stones
• 7. How to Care for Moonstone
• 8. Moonstone Meaning and Symbolism
• 9. Moonstone FAQ
• 9-1. What is moonstone?
• 9-2. What does moonstone symbolize?
• 9-3. What are the types of moonstone?
• 9-4. Is moonstone valuable?
• 9-5. How can you tell real moonstone?
• 9-6. Is black or peach moonstone real moonstone?
• 9-7. How do you care for moonstone?
• 10. Buying Moonstone from KenKenGems

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Moonstone

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What Is Moonstone?

Moonstone is a beautiful feldspar gem prized for its wide range of colors and its magnetic, moon-like glow. It takes its name from that appearance — a shimmer that resembles a miniature moon. Old legends said the Earth's satellite nurtured these stones and filled them with its light; whether or not you believe the legends, the pulling power of this mineral is undeniable.

Moonstone History and Name

Despite the name, moonstone is not found on the Moon. These softly glowing crystals were first noted in the alpine Adula Mountains of Switzerland, which gives the mineral its scientific name, adularia. "Moonstone" is actually a trade name covering several feldspars with a similar look. Strictly speaking, adularia is a colorless orthoclase feldspar, while most gem moonstone is an intergrowth of two feldspars (orthoclase and albite). The stone's signature shimmering blue glow under light is called adularescence — caused by light scattering off microscopically thin layers inside the crystal.

Moonstone Properties

Moonstone is the collective name for a family of iridescent feldspars, and what they share is adularescence — that billowy, pearl-like sheen. By composition, gem feldspars fall into two groups: potassium feldspars (orthoclase, microcline, sanidine) and calcium/sodium plagioclase feldspars (albite, oligoclase, labradorite, andesine). Beyond chemistry, these stones differ in internal structure — the presence of microcracks, air inclusions, and layered intergrowths that shape the glow.

Property	Detail
Mineral	Feldspar (orthoclase / albite and related species)
Mohs hardness	6 – 6.5
Specific gravity	~2.56 – 2.62
Refractive index	~1.518 – 1.526
Cleavage	Perfect in two directions (handle with care)
Optical effects	Adularescence; sometimes asterism (cat's-eye/star)
Birthstone	June

With a hardness of 6–6.5 and perfect cleavage, moonstone is relatively soft and brittle, so it needs careful handling: keep it away from hard knocks, sudden temperature changes, and harsh chemicals, as it can fracture.

Types of Moonstone

Moonstone comes in several distinct varieties and colors. The classic types are grouped by feldspar species, while popular color varieties — black, peach, and green moonstone — are covered in their own dedicated guides:

Adularia Moonstone

Adularia is the rare, most valuable classic moonstone, free of the microcracks found in lesser material. Top gems come from Sri Lanka, India, and Tanzania and show a strong blue opalescence (adularescence) with remarkable three-dimensional depth; cut en cabochon, many display a single-ray cat's-eye. The finest blue adularia is sold under the trade name "royal blue moonstone."

Rainbow Moonstone

Rainbow moonstone is technically a white labradorite (a plagioclase feldspar) rather than classic orthoclase moonstone. Along with its blue glow it flashes yellow, pink, and purple, like oil on water. Because it is a distinct stone, we cover it fully in our dedicated rainbow moonstone guide.

Belomorite Moonstone

Belomorite is an oligoclase moonstone named after Russia's White Sea (Beloe More). Unlike adularia it is iridescent, with multicolored flashes dominated by blue-green and red. Many specimens have visible cracks, so choose carefully.

Labradorite and Black Moonstone

Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar with an iridescent blue-green and purple sheen (labradorescence) often compared to peacock feathers. In the trade, dark plagioclase moonstone is sold as "black moonstone." Black, peach, and green moonstone are popular color varieties with their own meanings and looks, covered in our dedicated color guides.

Moonstone Value

Color, transparency, optical effect, and size drive moonstone value. The most prized stones show a pure blue sheen with striking three-dimensional opalescence over a clean, colorless body — favorites with collectors. Much commercial material (a lot of it from India) is inexpensive, with 1-carat stones often around USD $1–$30, while large, fine specimens with strong blue adularescence can exceed USD $80 per carat. Royal blue adularia and clean cat's-eye stones command the highest prices. Treat any figure as general guidance rather than a fixed quote.

How to Tell Real Moonstone and Coated Stones

Genuine moonstone shows adularescence that appears to float and shift as you tilt the stone, and the glow comes from within rather than sitting on the surface. Glass or plastic imitations often have a flat, painted-on shimmer and may contain round gas bubbles. Be aware that some moonstone on the market is coated to create vivid "designer" colors and rainbow effects; under the U.S. FTC Jewelry Guides this coating is a treatment and should be disclosed. At KenKenGems, natural moonstone and any coated (treated) material are described accurately so you know exactly what you are buying.

How to Care for Moonstone

Because moonstone is relatively soft with perfect cleavage, gentle care keeps it looking its best.

• Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners
• Protect it from sharp knocks, which can cause it to split along a cleavage plane
• Avoid sudden temperature changes and harsh chemicals, perfume, and hairspray
• Store it separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratches from harder gems
• Put moonstone jewelry on last, after cosmetics and fragrance

Moonstone Meaning and Symbolism

In folklore and crystal tradition, moonstone is a stone of the moon, intuition, and new beginnings, long associated with calm, balance, and emotional harmony. It has been carried as a talisman for centuries and is a popular gift for travelers in some traditions.

• Traditionally associated with intuition, new beginnings, and emotional calm
• In crystal lore, believed to bring balance and harmony
• A long-standing symbol of the moon and feminine energy
• The June birthstone, often chosen simply for its glowing beauty

A note on the old stories: moonstone has been credited in folklore with all kinds of powers — and colorful legends even tell of yellow "witch" stones or gems that turn cold on a full moon. These are cultural beliefs and legends, not facts. Moonstone is not a medicine and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness — it does not heal skin, treat epilepsy, affect childbirth, dissolve kidney stones, or influence tumors — and it is no substitute for professional care. These are traditional beliefs, not medical claims.

Moonstone FAQ

Quick answers to the questions people most often ask about moonstone.

What is moonstone?

Moonstone is a feldspar gem known for adularescence, a floating blue-white glow. "Moonstone" is a trade name covering several feldspars, most often an orthoclase-albite intergrowth.

What does moonstone symbolize?

In crystal lore, moonstone is associated with intuition, new beginnings, and emotional calm, and is seen as a stone of the moon. These are traditional beliefs, not medical claims.

What are the types of moonstone?

Classic types include adularia (royal blue), belomorite, and labradorite, plus popular color varieties — rainbow, black, peach, and green moonstone — each covered in its own guide.

Is moonstone valuable?

Value depends on the sheen, body clarity, size, and effects. Fine blue adularia with three-dimensional opalescence and cat's-eye stones are the most valuable; most commercial moonstone is affordable.

How can you tell real moonstone?

Real moonstone glows from within and shifts as you tilt it, while imitations look flat or contain bubbles. Some stones are coated for color, which should be disclosed as a treatment.

Is black or peach moonstone real moonstone?

Yes — they are color varieties within the moonstone/feldspar family (black moonstone is usually a dark plagioclase). We cover each in a dedicated guide.

How do you care for moonstone?

Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and sharp knocks because it is soft with perfect cleavage, and store it apart from harder gems.

Buying Moonstone from KenKenGems

Whether you want enchanting royal blue moonstone, pale white stones, or multi-colored gems, KenKenGems has a wide selection in white, gray, pink, brown, blue, and other natural colors. We also offer coated stones with vibrant designer hues, clearly described as coated (treated) so you know what you are getting, alongside natural material. Choose from strands, half-strands, moonstones set in silver, and loose stones — browse our moonstone collection to find the right piece for your jewelry or collection.

Moonstone collection / kenkengems.com