11 interesting facts about moonstones
- Moonstone is the most valuable stone from the feldspar group.
- Most popular color is blue, but it comes in a variety of colors. It usually has a milky, bluish sheen just under the gem's surface, giving it a unique luminescence.
- A billowy or floating blue light becomes visible when the stone is rotated in front of a light source. This effect, called adularescence, is caused by the intergrowth of another feldspar in oriented positions within the main mass of the moonstone.
- Moonstone comes mostly from India, Germany, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Mexico
. - In many areas of the world, moonstone is believed to bring good fortune to its wearer.
- Moonstone is the gem stone for the third wedding anniversary.
- In ancient times, it was supposed to arouse tender passions in lovers and give them the power to read the future; to be effective as a means of determining one’s personal future, it had to be placed in the mouth when the moon was full.
- Moonstone is believed to have mystical powers, and is used in Ayurvedic medicine and crystal healing.
- Moonstone can occur in a variety of colors aside white, like yellow, gray, pink or green, but for these « fancy » colored moonstones, the effect produce a white eye and not a blue sheen.
- Moonstone is thought to bring its wearer good luck. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed it had many curative powers.
- Moonstone is the birthstone for June, alternating with alexandrite and pearl.
