Fly me to the moonstone

One of the most romantic gemstones is moonstone. Do not befooled by its name..it is found on Earth! Greeks used to think that moonstones were associated with lunar deities.

Moonstone is a variety of feldspar and it belongs to the monoclinic crystal system. It is often translucent and comes in a variety of colours, such as colourless, white, pink, yellow, green, orange and brown. However the most desirable and fascinating part of these gemstones is the optical effect that they display. This effect is actually a bluish to sliver brightness caused when light is reflected or scattered from the particles of its chemical composition. Moonstone consists of microscopic layers of two different types of feldspar, orthoclase and albite. Thus, when light is scattered from the particles of albite, which are smaller than 400nm in size, the blue light is reflected stronger than the red light and we can see this blue flash from the gemstone. This effect on moonstones is called adularescence and is the reason for which these gemstones are cut as cabochons. Moonstones can be found in Sri Lanka, India, Burma and other localities. In the market there are some gemstones, called 'rainbow moonstones', however they are  not moonstones. They are another variery of feldspar, transparent labradorites, which display blue, red and yellow reflections of light. 

Jewellery pieces with moonstones tend to be more fashionable at the moment and many brands use them for their summer collections.On the first photo a chantelier style pair of earrings in a gold plated metal with translucent whitish cabochon cut moonstones is depicted.  This pair is from Oliver Bonas, a brand with very affordable and modern pieces of jewellery. 

Pair of earrings in gold plated metal with cabochon cut moonstones by Oliver Bonas

When light is reflected we can see these blue flashes. On the video that follows you can clearly see this adularascence effect.

On the following photo you can see a stud pair of earrings (obviously I love earrings with moonstones!) which are in a sterling silver (925) metal with translucent cabochon cut moonstones. This pair is from Pia jewellery,a very affordable brand with both everyday and night pieces of jewellery.

Pair of stud earrings in sterling silver with cabochon cut moonstones by Pia jewellery

When it comes to fashion, moonstones can be worn both day and night, depending on the style of jewellery pieces you own. For example the first pair of earrings, with the chantelier style, is more identical for night outfits. These gemstones fit every colour that you like and will add a brightness and glow effect on your night outfit. On the other side, stud earrings are very convenient for day outfits, from dresses to jeans with plain t-shirts. Ideally, you can make a bun on your hair so that the adularescence effect of the moonstone will be more visible.