Moonstone: meaning, origins and properties

What is a moonstone?

Moonstone has fascinated and seduced mankind since the dawn of time. It is said to have the same influence on nature and mankind as the cycles of the moon...

What is the significance of moonstone?

Moonstone is a fine stone (formerly classified as a"semi-precious stone"), which owes its name to its resemblance to the Earth's natural satellite: it comes from the Sanskrit words "kanta" meaning "beloved" and "chandra" meaning "moon".
It is sometimes known as moonstone, but is also called adularia or hecatolite after Hecate, one of the three Greek moon goddesses.

Where does moonstone come from?

This gemstone was already highly prized by our ancestors. The Romans associated it with their goddesses, particularly Diana, goddess of hunting and the moon. They believed that the stone was created by solidified moonbeams.
A feminine stone, moonstone was worn by Greek and Oriental women, who believed it to have fertility powers.
Among the Egyptians, moonstone jewelry was worn as talismans by travelers to ward off nocturnal dangers.
Even today, it is a sacred stone in India.

In the 19th century, moonstone inspired Art Nouveau artists. They used it to make sumptuous jewelry and decorative objects.
In a small but amusing nod to man's first steps on the Moon in 1969, the U.S. state of Florida named it its official stone.

What are the properties of moonstone?

Moonstone belongs to the Feldspar family. Its hardness varies between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and its density between 2.55 and 2.65.

What color is moonstone?

Moonstone has a very specific color: colorless, with white, bluish or even yellow reflections. There is a "peach" variety of moonstone, whose color ranges from brown to orange.
Transparent to translucent, it has a vitreous lustre.
It is characterized by an optical phenomenon known as adularescence. It gives the impression that silver-gray reflections glide across the stone's surface, following the light.

It is sometimes mistaken for glass or pale blue chalcedony.

Have you ever heard of rainbow moonstone? Don't be fooled, it's not a real moonstone. In fact, it's a Labradorite stone.

Where to find moonstone?

Moonstone deposits can be found in Australia, Burma, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States.

What are the benefits of moonstone?

In lithotherapy, moonstone is a stone of tolerance, a symbol of harmony. Associated with femininity, gentleness and intuition, moonstone develops sensitivity and creativity.
When connected to the second chakra (sacral chakra below the navel), it promotes openness to others, eliminates unnecessary fears and opens the Third Eye chakra for greater clairvoyance.

Please note: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. Natural stones are not a substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How do I recharge a moonstone?

In lithotherapy, moonstones need to be purified and recharged regularly to expel any negative energies they may have absorbed.
To cleanse it, simply soak it in a bath of spring water, but never tap water.
To purify it, expose your gemstone to the rays of the moon for a few hours. This is all the more effective on full-moon nights, when it's best to place it on a pile of quartz.

How to wear moonstone

The cool tones of 925 Sterling Silver or stainless steel jewelry primers will underline the softness of its white color with silver highlights. The warm tones of gold jewelry primers, such as Gold Filled or Gold Plated, will contrast wonderfully with its discreet color.
In lithotherapy, moonstone is said to enhance its virtues when mixed with spiritual stones such as amethyst, labradorite, aquamarine, rose quartz and rock crystal.
On the other hand, it is not recommended to mix it with energizing stones such as garnet, red jasper, malachite, tiger's eye, obsidian, black tourmaline or turquoise. It would lose all its benefits.