The Mystery of Moonstone

Rainbow Moonstone is not related to Opal, as people sometimes think. In fact, Moonstone is a member of the Quartz family of minerals. It is technically a variety of labradorite feldspar, crystalline in nature. Moonstone is mined in South India and Sri Lanka, while limited deposits of Rainbow Moonstone are also found in Madagascar.

Demand for Rainbow Moonstone grows each year, and as such finer quality Rainbow can sometimes be hard to find. As a crystal, Rainbow Moonstone often has what appear to be cracks or fissures within the stone. These normally do not affect the integrity of the stone unless they are present at the surface.

Tip: If you run your fingernail over the surface of a Moonstone, it should move smoothly, without any bumps or skips. Surface cracks may eventually cause the stone to fail and fall out of the setting.

Rainbow Moonstone is usually finished in a dome shaped cabochon to enhance the natural fire. When cut correctly it can also be dramatic in a faceted finish, though this will always add to the cost of the finished product.

In Europe, Moonstone is the birthstone for June. In North America, Moonstone shares June with Alexandrite and Pearl. It is a versatile stone that can work for both casual and formal affairs, depending on the setting. Rainbow Moonstone is especially spectacular against a rich background like velvet or when the wearer has a darker complexion or dark hair.

That almost every design on our site comes in Rainbow Moonstone is a testament to its popularity. It is a great addition to any jewelry display, and when set in silver is as affordable as just about any other stone, comparable in price to Amethyst or Garnet.

Article by Mike McGinnis
wholesale silver and sterling jewelry by indiasilver.com