It is interesting that moonstone, despite its name, is only indirectly related to the Moon. Amazing, misty crystals emitting a pale light were once found in the Alpine mountain range of Mons Adular. The beautiful mineral received its scientific name from the place where the rock was discovered and described. The common name - lunar - was given to it by jewelers, uniting several completely different gems under this trade designation.
Gold pendant SL with rubies, sapphires, tsavorites, enamel, moonstones and diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)
Depending on the variety, prices for products with iridescent stones can vary significantly. In addition to natural samples with similar structure and properties, you can also find a large number of imitations made of frosted glass on the shelves. How to distinguish the original from analogues and artificial crystals that do not have magical powers?
Story
The mysterious glow of moonstone has long fascinated people. This mineral is called differently:
- adularia;
- aglaurite;
- pearlspar;
- jandarakad.
In Rus' it was called “tausiny” (peacock).
The name “adularia” is given in honor of the Swiss mountain Adula, where it was first discovered.
There is another name - “fish eye”. This is the name of a rare variety of yellow color.
In ancient times, there were different versions of the origin of the wonderful nugget. In Ancient Greece, for example, they were sure that it was born in the northern countries from the reflection of moonlight from the ice.
And according to one legend, a pebble appears on a full moon under the influence of some magical force. If it lies under the light of the Moon for several thousand full moons, it will shine with a mysterious light and acquire powerful magical properties. Finding such a gem is very difficult, but if there is luck, then the gift of foresight is revealed to the lucky one.
There was a belief that the night luminary feeds its pebble with magical power. A sign of this is a white spot on it. It appears at a time when the Moon is growing, reaches its maximum size and radiance at the full moon, and then gradually becomes smaller and disappears.
The moonstone is mentioned in various chronicles. He is described as a participant in mystical events. Among many peoples, it was valued more than gold and was considered sacred. There was great faith in the ability of the crystal to influence human life.
- For Indians, it is a symbol of good luck, love, which gives the ability to clairvoyance. Legends say that the gem is the frozen light of the night star. Products made from it were considered expensive gifts for high-born persons.
- The Greeks were convinced that the crystal was a gift from the Hyperboreans, facilitating the discovery of secrets.
- The Chaldean priests prayed with a pebble under their tongue so that their speeches would become prophetic. At the time of the full moon, the mineral was placed on the altar so that its power would increase.
- On the island of Sri Lanka, this mineral has long been considered sacred. There is a belief that whoever finds it gains the gift of foresight.
Where is it mined?
Moonstone appears in ore, most often gold-bearing, veins or in pematites.
It was found in a quartz vein of the Alps in places where there is also ilmenite, rock crystal, titanite, chlorite, hematite and rutile. It is formed in igneous rock at a temperature of 650–700 °C. Adularia can also grow in hot water rich in potassium and silica. It is formed in rock (or rather, in its cracks), including effusive volcanic rock. Feldspar was first discovered in the Adula Mountains. Many believe that this is where the second name came from – adularia. However, there is a version that it was named in honor of Mons Adular (as the St. Gotthard massif was previously called). Today, Sri Lanka has almost exhausted the deposit. Rich reserves are found in:
- Brazil.
- Australia, Burma and India (here is a mineral that has a star effect).
- Madagascar.
- New Zealand.
- USA. Near Oliver, adularia has been mined since 1958, which is similar in quality to stone from Sri Lanka.
- Tanzania (Africa).
- Russia.
- Ukraine.
In the Russian Empire, unprocessed moonstone was found in the Urals (namely in Mount Mokrusha), in the Inaglinsky massif, which is located in Siberia. The gem was discovered near a quartz deposit. Chukotka is famous for its minerals: adularia-quartz (it has a banded-cocard texture) and adularia-rhodochrosite (it includes native gold and quartz).
On topic: How to distinguish a real moonstone from a fake
Spar brushes are found in the Baltic states. Also here you can find single growths and small crystals.
Spar, which also includes pegmatite, is mined in Irkutsk (Olkhonsky and Slyudyansky districts). Moreover, the sizes of the crystals are different: the Olkhon ones are 10–20 cm larger than the Slyudyansky ones. True, the mineral from these deposits has disadvantages: iridescence occurs with a pale effect, there are many cracks in it, and it is ferruginous.
The richest country in moonstone deposits is Ukraine. Here the mineral is mined in such quantities that it has been transferred from semi-precious to the finishing category.
Description
What is moonstone and what does it look like?
What kind of mysterious shine comes from him? Moonstone, a semi-precious or ornamental mineral, is a type of orthoclase, a potassium feldspar. Its chemical formula is K[AlSi3O8] .
It is fragile, does not have high strength, has hardness 6–6,5.
Transparent or translucent samples are colorless, light gray with a blue tint, or yellow.
The gem received its unusual name for its blue tint on a silver background and for its shimmer, similar to the path of the Moon’s shine on water. Science explains this glow (adularization) by the thin-plate structure of the mineral.
MORPHOLOGY
Moonstone has several varieties. Opaque feldspars are sometimes called moonstones. One of them, Labrador, was discovered in the 18th century by missionaries of the German community of the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. A little later, a large deposit of labradorite was found in Russia - in the vicinity of St. Petersburg in 1781, during the construction of the road from St. Petersburg to the royal palace in Peterhof, boulders with labradorite were discovered. The St. Petersburg nobility began to wear rings and rings with these stones.
By the way, we called the moonstone tausin - from the Persian “tausi” - peacock - for its resemblance to the iridescence of peacock plumage. Labradorite has a beautiful play of colors, and its dark variety, sparkling blue, is called black moonstone. The richest deposits of labradorite were later discovered in Ukraine. Moreover, there turned out to be so much of it that it depreciated in value, became a facing stone and was later used for cladding metro stations and many monumental buildings. Very beautiful Labradors are mined in Finland and Madagascar (Madagascar moonstone). Also among the feldspars there is a sunstone (aventurine feldspar), which has an unusual sparkling-golden tint. It is found in Norway, the USA, Russia (on the Selenga River, which flows into Baikal). Another variety of moonstone is belomorite: translucent, white, with a bluish tint.
Varieties
Selenite and amazonite are often confused with moonstone, but they are not its varieties.
Moonstones include only minerals with an opalescence effect, that is, with a glow emanating from within and dissipating on the surface. There are four varieties:
1. Adularia - a real moonstone - is extremely rare. Its color is yellowish, sometimes with a bluish glow.
2. Belomorite has white or bluish tints.
3. Labradors:
- Black moonstone - with blue or blue reflections.
- Sunstone is sparkling yellow in color.
- Spectrolite - shimmers with all the rainbow colors.
4. Sanidine - its color can be white, yellowish, gray, red-white. The richer the color, the more valuable the mineral. Blue opalescent stones are very rare and therefore expensive.
Applications and care
Adularia appears on the market less often than other minerals, so the stone is in great demand. This is not only a raw material for jewelers, but also a material for decorative items.
Jewelry is made with the lunar gem in a silver-gold frame: rings, earrings, bracelets. Ladies love pendants, men often buy rings. Pendants are usually sold at the bazaar, and sets are sold only in expensive stores.
How to care for jewelry:
- buy a box with many compartments to store all your jewelry separately;
- do not drop the talisman;
- do not use chemicals for cleaning - use soap;
- It is better to avoid temperature changes and not leave jewelry to bask in the sun or frost.
Jewelers are against constantly wearing jewelry with moonstone, but esotericists have a completely different opinion. Choose for yourself what is more important to you. The fact that the mineral will quickly “wear out” or that it will protect you and give you strength.
Medicinal properties
In order for moonstone to have a positive effect on human health, it is better to wear it closer to the body.
Healing properties of adularia:
- has a beneficial effect on the nerves, its contemplation drives away anxiety, gives peace and joy;
- By placing it at the head of the bed at night, you can get rid of insomnia and stress;
- helps to concentrate.
In addition, the gem, by restoring hormonal levels, will help improve metabolism and rejuvenate.
Magic properties
Among different peoples, the moonstone was revered as sacred, because they noticed that it had a direct connection with the night luminary. During the time of the full moon, the mineral is filled with radiance, becomes colder and more saturated in color. As the lunar disk decreases, the shine of the stone also decreases. This is considered proof of the connection between the gem and the night luminary.
The pebble helps its owner in spiritual development, in understanding the essence of what is happening, in finding peace. It can reveal the human potential inherent in nature. Strengthens the ability to analyze events, helps to concentrate for decision making.
Since ancient times, this translucent crystal was considered a talisman of love, helping the owner to find it. Therefore, it has long symbolized pure, sincere love. This talisman will help you find happiness. He will teach true love, and then even a withdrawn, reserved person becomes more emotional and gains the ability to love with all his heart.
Previously, in many European countries, it was a common custom for girls to wear an amulet with an adularia in order to attract the attention of the chosen one.
Adularia is very good for women, as it enhances femininity, emotionality, and makes the character softer. If a woman does not have an emotional relationship with a man, the gem will help to understand him.
It is believed that the gem can help you find love for life. To help attract love, it is better to attach jewelry (brooches, etc.) to the left side.
If you wear jewelry on your left hand, you can avoid many misunderstandings and conflicts. A person becomes more tolerant of others.
To reveal your creative potential and even talents, it is better to wear jewelry on your right hand. They will help strengthen intuition, awaken fantasy and imagination.
As a talisman, adularia is perfect for creators of art. It will help to fully unlock their potential for the implementation of creative plans.
A moonstone amulet will help a person prone to depression and melancholy to become an optimist.
During the full moon, the magical properties of such talismans and amulets are enhanced.
The stone gives its energy to the owner only during the waxing moon and the full moon. When the Moon is waning, on the contrary, it acts as an energy vampire.
In order for a gem to help you fulfill your cherished desire, on a moonlit night, take it in your left hand, stand under the moonlight (in a room, maybe) and very clearly say your wish so that the stone “hears” it.
The following must be taken into account: in order for a crystal to “work” for good, it must be natural.
How to wear a moonstone
The stone shows itself best when it is in a silver frame. For a stone to become your reliable protector and assistant, you need to speak to it. To do this, you can use an archaic spell: when reading a spell over a stone, a woman needs to hold the stone in her left hand, and a man in his right.
“I was born from the earth and turned into my shield!
From fire, from flames, from any death, from dashing people,
From the roaring beast, from the prickly eye,
He protected me, covered me with his strength on all roads!
So it will be, so it is, so it will be! Truly!
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
It is not recommended for Aries and Capricorn , since its energy does not suit the energy of these signs. This circumstance can prevent people from developing. It is possible that he is able to attract big problems to these zodiac signs. As a talisman or amulet, tanzanite, amber, ruby, spinel, carnelian, emerald are ideal for Aries, and garnet, onyx, obsidian, and spinel (blue) are ideal for Capricorn.
Moonstone according to the horoscope is important for the signs of the elements of Water: Cancer , Scorpio and Pisces . He can give them peace of mind and improve their character. In addition, hidden abilities for creativity and even the gift of eloquence may appear, bringing good luck in business negotiations.
Taurus will find in him a “medicine” for healing spiritual wounds, the ability to enjoy life, feel love, and notice beauty. With its help, the right decisions will be made in difficult situations.
Gemini will become wiser, which will allow them to overcome difficulties without loss.
Leo will become calmer and more benevolent, which will have a positive impact on relationships with people.
Virgo will feel the strength to implement ambitious plans in their professional activities.
Libra will find in him an assistant in unlocking creative potential and in implementing their plans.
Sagittarius will be able to make the right decision for any problem and avoid unpleasant situations.
Aquarius will be protected from negativity, and hope for a better future will awaken. The unpleasant little things in life will no longer irritate you, and the person will direct all his energy and willpower to achieving an important goal.
Jewelry with mineral
According to legend, a piece of the Moon that fell to Earth brought with it its power, so people began to wear jewelry to protect their owners. The gem began to be actively used in jewelry production at the beginning of the twentieth century with the light hand of the trendsetter, the French designer Rene Lalique.
The gem is very delicate and fragile. It is necessary to protect the decoration from mechanical damage . They shine with a soft glow from the very depths, shimmering with white and blue shine. It's hard to take your eyes off them. Various decorations are made from the mineral:
- brooches;
- rings;
- earrings;
- bracelets;
- pendants;
- necklace;
- beads
The gem is combined with many semi-precious, precious and ornamental stones:
- pomegranate;
- quartz;
- obsidian;
- crystal;
- pearls;
- agate;
- topaz;
- jasper.
The price of adularia and varieties vary depending on the stone and frame. Jewelry with a stone can be purchased from 200 rubles. For the same ring with a Labradorite, you will have to pay 5–10 times more. Jewelers work with it very carefully because of its fragility. The owner must treat it with the same care so that the jewelry retains its natural beauty for a long time.
Also read: Chalcopyrite - the magical and healing capabilities of the mineral
Compatibility with other stones
Each mineral has its own energy. Their correct combination is a whole science, known for a long time.
It was found that gems that belong to the same element have the best compatibility in jewelry. In addition, according to astrology, one must take into account their connection with the zodiac signs and patron planets.
When combined correctly, stones help each other manifest their qualities. If the combination is incorrect, then their energy will be extinguished or, worse, harmful vibrations will be created.
Adularia belongs to the element of Water , so it is better not to wear it together with Air and Fire .
It is recommended to combine moonstone with:
- amethyst;
- white pearls;
- coral;
- obsidian;
- onyx;
- amber.
Completely incompatible with:
- agate;
- malachite;
- ruby;
- jasper.
Silver is most suitable for the frame.
Mineral care
Moonstone will delight you with its beauty and properties for a long time if you care for it correctly:
- mechanical and ultrasonic cleaning methods are prohibited;
- it is washed with soapy water and a soft cloth, after which the stone is thoroughly rinsed with warm water;
- before doing household chores, jewelry with the mineral is removed;
- the gem is stored in a box on soft textiles separately from other jewelry;
- the moonlight lost during wear is restored by polishing or grinding.
Natural moonstone has the potential to improve the quality of life for those suited, at low prices per gram. The colorful shimmer of the gem will be an interesting addition to the existing image of both women and men.
How to care
If a moonstone is purchased as a talisman or amulet, it should be placed under the moonlight at night on a full moon. It is better to repeat this procedure every month.
Some esotericists believe that black moonstone (a type of Labradorite) is filled with the magic of the dark side of the Moon, which we never see. In their opinion, it should be placed on the windowsill on new moon nights.
- Store the moonstone and jewelry with it separately, preferably in a bag or box that is soft from the inside.
- Avoid impacts and falls.
- Protect from chemicals.
- Protect from direct rays of the sun and sudden changes in temperature.
- It is better to clean with a special cleaner.
- Wipe the crystal that has darkened with time with a velvet cloth.
- The shine is perfectly restored in a jewelry workshop.
Cost of products
The price of a moonstone is determined by size, variety, degree of transparency, and color saturation.
The order of prices is as follows (per carat):
- multi-color Indian gem: weighing up to 1 carat - $2-31, 3-5 carats - $80-350;
- Labradorite - $12–15 ($60–75 per gram);
- “rainbow” (transparent with a rare play of reflections) - from $100;
- blue Sri Lankan - from $500.
The cost of jewelry with an adularia made of ordinary metal is 550-700, in silver - from 1200 rubles.
How to distinguish from a fake
Unfortunately, some moon rocks for sale are fakes.
A mineral is true if:
- when turning, it casts reflections (usually bluish);
- when the tilt changes, the flicker intensity changes;
- it takes a long time to warm up in the palms;
- there may be some defects in the stone;
- in water the color becomes brighter.
The more beautiful and uniform in color and structure the moonstone is, the more likely it is to be a fake.
Best time to buy
It is known that only gems given by loved ones or inherited bring undoubted luck. If you buy a pebble for yourself, it will become a talisman only after many years, when it gets used to you.
Moonstone gets used to its owner more quickly than other minerals. He loves to communicate, so immediately after you bring him home, pay attention to him: admire him, talk about your life, ask for advice and thank him for his help.
In order for a gem to show its healing and magical properties, you need to buy it and start wearing it at a certain time.
| Variety | Lunar days | |
| Purchase | Getting started | |
| Adularia | 2 | 16 |
| Labrador | 5 | 19 |
| Belomorit | 14 | 28 |
What else is important to know about MOONSTONE
Today, stores sell fakes of adularia. Moreover, they are of low quality. They can only be used as decoration. Alas, such an imitation of adularia will not bring anything mystical into your life.
But if you decide to spend money and buy a real living stone, then miracles will be guaranteed to you!
However, you shouldn’t wear imitation moonstone for a long time! Even when worn for a long time, it can change a person’s biofield and aura.
It is better to buy jewelry in stores that value their own reputation and sell only certified products. In this case, the origin of the mineral can be determined. Finally, if in doubt, you can ask for certification documents.
When buying an adularia, pay attention to the price. Natural moonstones, as mentioned above, cannot cost less than $100.
