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Moonstone

Moonstone is an alternative Birthstone with Pearl for the Month of June

This gemstone belongs to the family of minerals called feldspars, an important group of silicate minerals commonly formed in rocks. About half the Earth's crust is composed of feldspar. This mineral occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks, and also constitute a large percentage of soils and marine clays.

Rare geologic conditions produce gem varieties of feldspar such as moonstone, labradorite, amazonite and sunstone. They appear as large clean mineral grains, found in pegmatites (coarse-grained igneous rock) and ancient deep crustal rocks. Feldspars of gem quality are aluminosilicates, minerals containing aluminum, silicon and oxygen, that are mixed with sodium and potassium. The best moonstones are from Sri Lanka.

Moonstones are believed to be named for the bluish white spots within them, that when held up to light, project a silvery play of color very much like the moon. When the stone is moved back and forth, the brilliant silvery rays appear to move about, like moonbeams playing over water

Extremely well known, moonstone is said to possess mystical qualities including balancing yin & yang, symbolizing the sacred Third Eye, clarifying spiritual understanding, providing protection against epilepsy or sunstroke, a cure for headaches or nose bleeds and ensuring a high yield in crops. While the Romans thought it formed from moonlight, "adularescence" actually produces the iridescent sheen that makes moonstone the most valuable variety of feldspar.

The ancient Roman natural historian, Pliny, said that the moonstone changed in appearance with the phases of the moon, a belief that persisted until the sixteenth century. The ancient Romans also believed that the image of Diana, goddess of the moon, was enclosed within it. Moonstones were believed to have the power to bring victory, health and wisdom to those who wore it. In India, the moonstone is considered a sacred stone, often displayed on a yellow cloth, also considered a sacred color. The stone is believed to bring good fortune, brought on by a spirit that lives within the stone.

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