The Origin of Moonstone and its Power

Moonstone is a mineral composed of a large number of microscopic layers of feldspar.  As light hits the gemstone and passes through the layers, each of them refracts it at a different angle. This causes its unique shine, or “adularescence”.  However, the beauty of this gem is not the only reason why various cultures from around the world have been fascinated by it.  Moonstone has been written about for thousands of years, particularly by the Roman historian Pliny as being able to change its appearance depending on the phase of the moon.

Moonstone is mostly bluish; however, its color can also be yellow, pink, peach, and green. It also has the ability to refract light and, as a result, display a cat’s eye effect, also called chatoyancy.

As its name implies, Moonstone displays a watery opaqueness and a silver sheen that is very similar to moonlight.  This silvery reflection appears to move across the surface of the gemstone, depending on how light hits its surface.  The gem itself does not change color, however, it can come in a variety of shades, such as blue, gray, white and peach.  Furthermore, there are also rare prismatic moonstones that appear to have different colors, depending on how the light hits them.                                                           

Moonstone is Considered a Woman’s Stone

Generally speaking, moonstone is considered to be a women’s stone and is associated with the Mother Goddess.  The moonstone’s adularescence is similar to how the moon waxes and wanes.  In terms of symbolism, moonstone is associated with the hope, calmness and balance that comes with all forms of love.

The two most popular types of moonstone are the “cat’s eye moonstone”, which has the characteristic chatoyancy mentioned previously, and the “star moonstone” which displays an effect called asterism. This effect occurs when multiple rays of light that form a star can be seen inside the gem. Star moonstone are considered to be the most precious variety of moonstone, as well as the rarest.

Having said that, the best moonstone gemstones are colorless and have a blue shimmer. They are usually extracted from mines in Sri Lanka.  Unfortunately, most of the high-quality sources of moonstone have already been exhausted, which has led to an increase of price for high-grade gems.

Other sources of moonstone are located in India, Australia, Myanmar, Madagascar, and also the United States.  Depending on where they come from, moonstones will have a different shade.  The gems that come from sources in India are often brown, green, or orange.  These colors are encountered more often, which also means that their price is lower than that of other varieties.

Moonstone as Depicted in History and Myths

Moonstones are often described to be as “ancient” as the moon.  Regardless of the age of these gems, one thing has persisted through the ages. Various cultures from all over the world have considered that the light reflected by moonstones can teach us many things about our own existence.

The gem has been historically used as a talisman for those seeking to walk the path of self-knowledge. It has helped people on their journey to discover themselves and uncover the things hidden inside their minds and souls.

Moonstone has been always deeply linked to magic and the mysteries of the moon. It generates energies that have calming effects and help individuals find their inner balance, as well as synchronize their bodies to the greater biological rhythm of the planet.

The gem is also called a “traveler’s stone” because various cultures believe that it can protect travelers from the hidden dangers of the night.  Moonstones are also used to treat various sleep-related issues, such as insomnia and sleepwalking.

Throughout history, it has been believed that Moonstone is linked to fields of magic that draw their energy from the moon.  Romans used it in their jewelry and various groups in India have considered it to be a sacred stone.  Even to this day, the Moonstones or jewelry that contains the gem are regularly offered as wedding gifts.

Each Type of Moonstone Offers Different Healing Effects

Generally speaking, Blue moonstones or varieties that display the Cat’s Eye effect, are believed to offer clarity of mind to those who wear them as talismans.  Gray ones, or “New Moon Stones”, are considered tools that can be used to help individuals perceives things that would otherwise be hidden for them.  They are used by clairvoyants and ritualistic shamans that want to perceive other realms.

White ones are said to increase the intensity of the wearer’s emotion when worn by women and improve emotional balance for men.  It also prevents children from having nightmares.  The peach or yellow moonstones helps treat anxiety and stimulates the mind.  Lastly, there are Rainbow Moonstones.  These protect the wearers from psychic harm, they help them clear their minds.  They are also used to enhance an individual’s ability to experience lucid dreams.