Moonstone is associated with the heart chakra. It is said to enhance passion, sensitivity,
intuition, physical abilities, and is said to bring good fortune. Moonstone is a
stone of protection, protecting women and children, particularly during pregnancy
and childbirth. Physically, it is said to aid the wearer's pituitary gland and aid
digestive system and also to fight against obesity. The moonstone is also said to
calm emotions and ease hormonal and menstrual problems.
Availability :
Moonstone was once extremely popular, particularly in the time of Art Nouveau about
a hundred years ago. Also in recent years it has seen an increase in demand, unfortunately
Moonstone, particularly fine Moonstone, is becoming increasingly rare.
Sources :
The valued bluish and nearly transparent Moonstones are most often found in Sri
Lanka. There are also known deposits of Moonstones in Australia, Brazil, Germany,
India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Switzerland, Tanzania, and the
United States.
Evaluation :
Being that Moonstones are rated at a 6 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, special care
should be taken well wearing and
well cleaning the stone because of tits fragility. That being said, small damages
that may occur after prolonged usage can be corrected somewhat easily.
This can
be accomplished by having a jeweler polish the stone in such a way that will regain
its adularescence. Rainbow Moonstones are in fact colorless but exhibit a beautiful
blue sheen and a rainbow-array of colors due to its schiller, or in relation to
Moonstone, it's adularescence. The origin of this phenomenal feature is its interior
crystal structure. Orthoclase feldspar and albite are found in close association,
arranged in layers. The incoming rays of light are reflected inside the stone and
scattered.
The most valuable of Rainbow Moonstones are larger stones that exhibit strong adularescence
and transparency with an intense blue sheen. Moonstones are become increasingly
rare and because of this increasingly valuable which can make for a great gemstone
investment.
Common Cuts :
The phenomenon that gives this gemstone its importance is its schiller, which in
relation with Moonstone has been given the name adularescence. The origin of this
phenomenal feature is its interior crystal structure. Orthoclase feldspar and Albite
are often found in close association, arranged in layers. The incoming rays of light
are reflected inside the stone and scattered.
For this reason, classical Moonstones are always cut in a smooth-domed oval cabochon
shape to maximize the adularescence. Sometimes Moonstones can also be found carved
with a moon face.
Routine Enhancements :
Rainbow Moonstone has no known enhancement.
Care & Cleaning :
Moonstone jewelry can be cleaned in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft
brush. As with most gemstones, Moonstone should be kept away from exposure to excessive
heat and household chemicals, which can cause the stone to erode or cause color
change. Moonstone jewelry should be stored separately, or away from other jewelry items in a fabric-lined
box so as to avoid chipping, cracking, and scratching.
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