Moonstone

What is Moonstone?

Moonstone belongs to the large family of feldspars and consists of a potassium sodium aluminium silicate with the formula (K,Na)AlSi3O8. What makes the stone special is its soft, bluish white sheen, called adularescence. This glow arises because light refracts on wafer thin, alternating layers of two kinds of feldspar within the stone. When you move Moonstone in the light, the sheen seems to float across the surface, just like moonlight on water. The stone forms deep in the earth's crust when molten rock cools slowly and the Feldspar layers arrange themselves. With a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, Moonstone is fairly soft and prone to scratching, which is why it is often set in protective jewelry.

Meaning and History of Moonstone

The name Moonstone refers directly to the moon-like sheen of the stone. The mineralogical term for the best known variety, adularia, comes from Mount Adular in Switzerland, one of the first sources of fine Moonstone. In Hindu mythology it was believed that Moonstone was made of solidified moonlight, and the stone was considered sacred. In other places too, Moonstone was linked to the moon and to feminine powers. During the Art Nouveau period around 1900, artists such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany were enchanted by the stone and set it into refined jewelry. In the 1960s and 1990s, Moonstone enjoyed a revival once again. The common thread through the centuries is striking: Moonstone stands for feeling, intuition and the cyclical nature of life.

Physical Properties Moonstone

On an energetic level, Moonstone is valued above all as a stone that helps you treat yourself more gently. Where the body sometimes gets stuck in tension and overstimulation, the calming energy of Moonstone is associated with letting go and coming to rest. Many people wear the stone in periods when their rhythm fluctuates, for example around the feminine cycle, because they experience its gentle energy as supportive. Moonstone has traditionally been connected with fertility and with the natural rhythms of ebb and flow in the body. Those who learn to listen to those rhythms often experience more balance between effort and recovery. In this way, Moonstone can contribute in a soft, natural way to a sense of inner calm and equilibrium in daily life.

Please note: gemstones can offer support on an emotional and energetic level, but are never a substitute for medical or professional care. If you have any complaints or concerns, always consult your physician.

Moonstone and Intuition

Moonstone is the stone par excellence for strengthening your feeling and intuition. Where your mind keeps churning, Moonstone helps you listen to that soft inner knowing that often already holds the answer. Carry a tumbled stone in your pocket or hold one in your hand at moments when you have to make a choice, and breathe calmly while you sense what feels right. Place a Moonstone on your nightstand to make your dreams more vivid and to remember their messages better. During meditation you can rest the stone on your lower belly or against your forehead to turn your attention inward. Especially at the start of something new, such as a new moon or a fresh beginning, Moonstone gives you the confidence to follow your feeling.

Spiritual Properties

Spiritually, Moonstone is deeply connected to the moon, to the feminine and to everything that moves in cycles. It invites you not to push your emotions away, but to let them flow like ebb and flow. For people who quickly retreat into their heads, Moonstone can be a bridge back to feeling. It has traditionally been used to support intuition and clairvoyance, and to deepen dreams. Moonstone is also known as the stone of new beginnings: it offers courage and gentleness at the same time when you close an old chapter and step into a new one. In addition, the stone provides a sense of security, as if you may briefly return to a safe, nurturing energy. In this way, Moonstone brings balance between head and heart, and between what you think and what you feel deep inside.

How to Use Moonstone?

• Wear Moonstone as jewellery, for example one of our Moonstone bracelets or Moonstone pendants, so its gentle energy travels with you all day.
• Place a Moonstone in the bedroom for a calm, nurturing atmosphere, close to your bed.
• Hold a tumbled stone in your hand during meditation, or rest it against your forehead to turn your attention inward.
• Place a Moonstone with your intentions during a new moon, to support a fresh start with confidence.

Types and Varieties of Moonstone

• Rainbow Moonstone: a clear, almost transparent stone with flashes of blue and sometimes other colors. Mineralogically this is actually a white Labradorite, but in the trade it is known as Moonstone.
• Black Moonstone: a dark variety with a silvery sheen, somewhat more earthy in character and loved for its mysterious appearance.
• Blue Moonstone: the classic variety with the finest, deep blue adularescence that moves across the stone like a veil.
• Peach Moonstone: a warm, soft orange type that is often connected with self acceptance and a loving feeling.

Beautiful Gemstone Combinations

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the stone of softness and love for yourself, and therefore pairs beautifully with the nurturing energy of Moonstone. Where Moonstone opens your feeling and intuition, Rose Quartz adds warmth and gentleness. Together they form a loving duo that softens your heart in emotional periods.

Sunstone

Sunstone is the radiant counterpart of Moonstone: where Moonstone carries the cool, receptive lunar energy, Sunstone brings warmth, joy and drive. These two complement each other like moon and sun and help you keep feeling and action in balance. A lovely combination for anyone seeking both gentleness and vitality.

Labradorite

Labradorite is, like Moonstone, a feldspar with an enchanting play of colour, but with a more protective character. Where Moonstone opens your intuition and makes you sensitive, Labradorite shields your energy from outside influences. Together they keep the balance between openly receiving and protecting yourself.

Recognizing Genuine Moonstone

Moonstone is regularly imitated, often with a type of glass called Opalite. Fortunately, a few practical checks will expose many imitations. First pay attention to the sheen: in genuine Moonstone the bluish white glow seems to move and change depth when you tilt the stone, while Opalite shows a flat, bluish haze that does not really move and glows orange in transmitted light. Also look inside the stone: natural Moonstone often contains fine, straight stress cracks that resemble the legs of a centipede, while glass shows round air bubbles. Real Crystal also feels cool and warms up slowly in your hand, whereas glass feels warm more quickly. Finally, be critical of a perfectly uniform stone at a remarkably low price. At Kristalmeester we only sell natural Moonstone.

Properties

• Hardness: 6 to 6.5 (Mohs scale)
• Density: 2.55 to 2.61 g/cm³
• Composition: (K,Na)AlSi3O8
• Crystal structure: monoclinic
• Colour: colorless to white, cream, peach, grey or blue, with a silvery blue sheen

Locations

• Sri Lanka
• India
• Myanmar
• Madagascar
• Australia
• United States
• Norway
• Poland
• Tanzania
• Brazil
• Armenia

Zodiac Signs

Cancer

Cancer is ruled by the moon, which makes it the sign that resonates most strongly with Moonstone. This sensitive, caring sign picks up many emotions, both its own and those of others. Moonstone helps Cancer let those feelings flow without drowning in them, and to stay close to its own intuition.

Scorpio

Scorpio is an intense, profound water sign that lives in the world of emotions and transformation. Moonstone gently guides Scorpio through emotional processes and through the cycles of letting go and beginning again. This helps the sign feel safer to go into the depths.

Libra

Libra naturally seeks harmony and balance, but can therefore hesitate for a long time between two sides. Moonstone supports Libra in letting feeling weigh in alongside reason. This makes choices softer and more in line with what truly feels right.

Chakras

Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra is the centre of feeling, creativity and feminine energy. Moonstone naturally resonates with it and supports the flow of emotions and the connection with your creative power. It therefore fits beautifully with everything to do with cycles, fertility and feeling.

Third Eye Chakra

The Third Eye Chakra is the centre of intuition, insight and imagination. Moonstone strengthens the connection with this Chakra and helps you trust your inner knowing. A stone placed here during meditation can bring clarity to what your feelings are trying to tell you.

Crown Chakra

The Crown Chakra connects you with awareness and with the greater whole. Moonstone is used with this Chakra because its lunar, gentle energy supports spiritual deepening. It therefore fits beautifully with moments of surrender and reflection.

Care

With its hardness of 6 to 6.5, Moonstone is a somewhat softer stone, so care is important. You can clean it briefly under lukewarm running water: pat the stone dry afterwards and do not let it soak for long, because its cleavage makes Moonstone sensitive. If you want to cleanse it energetically, you can also pass the stone through the smoke of Sage or Palo Santo, or place it on Hematite Chips overnight to discharge. Moonlight is ideal for charging and especially fitting for this stone: place Moonstone on the windowsill during a full moon. Charging on Rock Crystal Chips also works well. The colour of Moonstone does not fade in the sun, but do avoid prolonged heat and sudden temperature changes, as these can cause the stone to crack. Preferably store Moonstone separately from harder stones so it does not get scratched.

More information about the cleansing and charging of gemstones can be found in our blog "The cleansing and charging of gemstones".

Frequently Asked Questions about Moonstone

What does Moonstone mean?

The name Moonstone refers to the soft, bluish white sheen that recalls moonlight. The stone symbolizes feeling, intuition, feminine energy and new beginnings.

Can Moonstone get wet?

Moonstone can be cleaned very briefly under lukewarm running water, but do not let it soak for long. Because of its softness and cleavage, prolonged contact with water can damage the stone, so pat it dry well afterwards.

Can Moonstone be placed in sunlight?

Yes, the colour of Moonstone does not fade in sunlight. However, avoid prolonged heat and sudden temperature changes, as these can cause the stone to crack. For Moonstone, charging is loveliest in moonlight.

Which Chakra is associated with Moonstone?

Moonstone resonates most strongly with the Sacral Chakra and the Third Eye Chakra, the centres of feeling and intuition. Through the Crown Chakra it also supports spiritual deepening.

Where is the best place to put Moonstone?

The bedroom is a wonderful spot: on the nightstand, Moonstone supports calm dreams and a soft sense of security. Its gentle energy also comes into its own in your meditation space or worn as jewelry.

Summary

Moonstone is a Feldspar with an enchanting bluish white sheen that arises from thin layers of feldspar within the stone. Since ancient times it has been linked to the moon, to feeling and to feminine energy. On an energetic level, Moonstone supports the flow of emotions, the strengthening of intuition and the embrace of new beginnings, and it offers a sense of security. It resonates with the Sacral Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra, and suits Cancer, Scorpio and Libra beautifully. Clean it very briefly under lukewarm water, charge it in moonlight and store it with care. 

If you have any questions about Moonstone, please do not hesitate to contact Kristalmeester. We are happy to help.