Moonstone

Origin and history of moonstone

Moonstone is a variant of the mineral orthoclase, which is semi-transparent. This means that moonstone has the familiar mysterious blue-white glow that has given it the name moonstone, as it is reminiscent of the light the moon gives off and reflects in water. The name of the rock is not because it is formed on the moon, but rather because it resembles a moon on Earth.

However, the mythology behind the moonstone's connection to the real moon is not a new invention. As far back as the Roman Empire, the unique blue-white colour of moonstone has been described as moonbeams framed in the mineral.

Moonstone really got its renaissance during the artistic movement 'Art Nouveau', where the extravagant and pompous were at the centre of attention. Moonstone was eagerly used to embellish everything from jewellery to design objects, architecture and furniture.
 

Moonstone as a jewellery stone

Do you dream of making jewellery with moonstones? Then it's safe to consider moonstone in your jewellery design if you want to create a piece of jewellery with a light and airy look. In smaller cuts, the stone becomes particularly transparent and can therefore lose some of its familiar blue-white colour. If you dream of a piece of jewellery with the familiar moonlight, we definitely recommend buying the bead as an arborite and faceted, as this maintains the potential of the moon's rays frozen in the mineral.

Are Moonstone and Sunstone related?

Moonstone and Sunstone are actually not composed of the same minerals. Moonstone belongs to a group of feldspar minerals known as potassium feldspar, which exhibits a shiny optical effect called 'adularescence' or 'schiller.' This optical effect occurs due to the layering of mineral particles in the stone, creating an iridescent glow.

Sunstone, on the other hand, is typically a variety of feldspar that contains copper or iron minerals such as hematite or goethite. These minerals give Sunstone its characteristic 'sparkle' or 'shimmer.' The shiny effect in Sunstone is due to the inclusion of these small metallic particles in the stone's structure, reflecting light in a way that resembles the rays of the sun.

Although both stones have a similar optical effect with their glittering appearance, they are composed of different minerals, giving them their unique appearance and properties.

Pink Moonstone: How does it differ from its white counterpart?

White Moonstone and Pink Moonstone are both variations of the noble Moonstone, but they primarily differ in their color tones and aesthetics.

White Moonstone, as the name suggests, has a light and often whitish hue with a bluish or silvery glow. This stone has a subtle sheen that can resemble the moonlight, giving it its name. It reflects light in a way that creates an optical phenomenon called adularescence, giving the stone a shifting play of colors.

Pink Moonstone has a more pronounced and striking pink or peachy hue. It still tends to display the same light-show effect as White Moonstone, albeit with a warmer tone and a more eye-catching color.

Aside from color, both stone variations may share similar holistic properties, tending to promote inner balance, intuition, and emotional healing. They are also considered stones that enhance feminine energy and connection to the moon's cycles.

The primary difference between these two variations lies in their color and the visual effect they create, but their properties and significance in the world of jewelry overlap due to their common origin as Moonstone.