A little background!
Moonstone has been around since ancient civilizations and has always been seen as a powerful stone. In the time of the Roman civilization, they believed Moonstone was formed from moonbeams. The Romans and Greeks also linked this stone with the moon deities. Old beliefs stated that the shimmering appearance shifted with the phases of the moon, and this belief stood strong until after the sixteenth century. From Rome to India, this stone has been associated with love, magic, fortune and protection.
Some geology for the myths!
Moonstone is formed from the mineral feldspar and it’s two types: orthoclase and albite. These two feldspar minerals grow together and create alternate layers in which adularescence happens when light hits these layers. The adularescence is what allows moonstone to have its beautiful shimmer and schiller effect.
Locality and quality
The highest quality Moonstones are found in Sri Lanka and Southern India. The quality refers to the amount and color of the Moonstone flash along with the opaqueness of the stone. Other localities include Australia, Armenia, Mexico, Brazil and the United States. When talking about rainbow Moonstone, that variety can be found in Madagascar and India.
Metaphysical properties!
Moonstone is my personal favorite for conquering new beginnings and soothing emotional instability. Moonstone is a powerful crystal for all-around help, but especially in times of struggle and distress. This crystal is also good for aiding in calmness, activating creativity, tapping into the intuitive power of feminine energy and balancing your emotions. With helping us conquer new beginnings, I consider this to be a good “every day” crystal since we encounter new situations every day.
Fun facts!
- Moonstone is the state gem of Florida.
- Moonstone is believed to have mystical powers.
- The Roman goddess of the moon, Diana, is said to be seen within Moonstone.
- Moonstone had a resurgence of popularity between 1890-1910 during the Art Nouveau period.