Complete Guide to Moonstone: Meaning, Properties, Uses, and More
Moonstone is a stunning crystal cherished for its mystical properties and enchanting beauty! It is a type of feldspar mineral that reflects light, known as adularescence. Adularescence is an optical illusion found in certain crystals. It's often compared to clouds covering a bright moon, with shades of blue, purple, pearl and silver shimming in the light.
With such unique beauty and sparkle, moonstone has become a popular gemstone in necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings.
The History of Moonstone
Moonstone has a long and fascinating history! It was first discovered in ancient Rome. When the Romans came across the stone, they believed it was frozen beams of moonlight. In India, moonstone is considered a sacred stone and is believed to have spiritual significance. It is still used in religious ceremonies today.
Moonstone is also closely tied to Greek mythology. According to legend, moonstone was created by the moon goddess Selene. It was believed that if a person wore moonstone jewelry, they would be granted wisdom, protection, and good fortune.
Where Moonstone Comes From
Moonstone can be found in various parts of the world, including India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Australia, and the United States.
Different Types of Moonstone
There are several types of moonstone, each with unique qualities and characteristics. Some of the most common types of moonstone include:
Blue Moonstone: This type of moonstone is known for its blue hue and is considered one of the most valuable types.
Peach Moonstone: Peach moonstone is known for its warm, peachy colour and is believed to have a calming effect on the mind.
Rainbow Moonstone: Rainbow moonstone is characterized by its iridescent sheen, which gives it a colourful, rainbow-like appearance. This is also often known as white labradorite and is considered a moonstone crystal because of its flash.
White Moonstone: White moonstone is the most common type of moonstone and is known for its translucent white colour and blue adularescence.
Green Moonstone: Green moonstone is said to have goddess energy. It is often known as a stone of love, fertility, intuition and magic with an array of energetic properties like heart opening, balancing and bringing harmony.
Black Moonstone: Found in Madagascar, black moonstone is said to possess the energy of the New Moon. It is gentle, and grounding, often used to connect with divine feminine or periods of new beginnings.
White Moonstone: White moonstone is often referred to as simply "moonstone ."It is whitish-pearl and is the most common type of moonstone used in jewelry.
Moonstone Healing Properties
In addition to its rich history, moonstone has many benefits and healing properties. Moonstone not only resembles the appearance of the moon, but it shares its mystical magic. The moon represents feminine energy, intuition and wisdom. It also represents balance and the importance of reflection, as the moon's light reflects the sun. Moonstone is known as "the stone of new beginnings" and is good for:
- Enhancing intuition and psychic abilities: Moonstone is believed to open the mind to new ideas and insights. It can also help enhance intuition, psychic abilities and spiritual connection.
- Providing emotional balance: Moonstone balances emotions and calms the mind. Wearing or meditating with moonstone can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with anxiety or stress.
- Enhancing creativity: Moonstone is believed to help improve creativity and artistic expression.
Moonstone for Zodiacs
Although all zodiac signs (sun, moon, rising) can benefit from moonstone there are specific astrological signs that are especially suited to this magical crystal.
Cancer: Seeing as Cancer is ruled by the moon, it makes perfect sense that moonstone is an excellent choice for this sign. By wearing or using moonstone, Cancer signs can enhance their intuition significantly and benefit from greater emotional balance.
Pisces: Pisces are already known for being intuitive and sensitive individuals which can feel overwhelming if they are energetically out of balance. Moonstone will help harness these innate abilities while providing grounding and calming energy.
Scorpio: Scorpios are often intense individuals with strong emotions. When out of balance, it can show up as mood swings. Moonstone is believed to help balance and soothe Scorpio emotions.
How to Cleanse and Charge Moonstone
When you first get a new crystal, it is best practice to cleanse and charge your crystal while setting an intention. When you cleanse a crystal you are removing old energy and charging is when you are amplifying that crystals energy and healing properties so they can be received by you.
You can cleanse moonstone in the following ways:
Option 1. Moonlight
It should come as no surprise that moonlight is the best way to charge and cleanse your moonstone crystals. To do so, place your moonstone crystals and jewelry somewhere the moonlight will hit then. A full moon is the best time to charge and cleanse your crystals. Just remember to collect your moonstone in the morning!
Option 2: Smoke
Smoke cleansing is a great way to cleanse, charge and set an intention. You can use incense or lavender sticks to gently wave smoke over your crystals.
How to Use Moonstone
This popular crystal is often used in spiritual practices because of its calming and soothing effect on the mind and body and its ability to help us connect with our higher selves and spiritual realms. Here are some common ways to use moonstone:
Wearing it with moonstone jewelry.
One of the most common ways to bring the magic of moonstone into your life is by wearing it as jewelry. Moonstone is a popular gemstone in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Wearing moonstone jewelry is believed to help balance emotions, reduce stress, and promote inner peace. If you want to start wearing moonstone, check out our Moonstone Collection here.
Meditate holding a moonstone tumble or moonstone tower.
Moonstone is an excellent crystal to use during meditation. It's believed to help enhance intuition, clarity, and insight. You can hold a moonstone crystal in your hand or place it in front of you during meditation to enhance your spiritual practice.
Sleeping with moonstone nearby.
Moonstone is known to have a calming effect on the mind and body, making it an excellent crystal for sleep. Placing a moonstone tumble under your pillow or a moonstone tower on your bedside table is believed to help promote restful sleep and enhance dream recall.
Incorporating moonstone into energy work.
Moonstone is a popular crystal used in energy work, such as reiki or crystal healing. It's believed to help provide balance, promote emotional healing, and enhance spiritual growth. You can place moonstone crystals on the different parts of the body during energy work or use them in crystal grids.
Placing it around your home.
Moonstone crystals can also be used as décor, adding a little extra moon magic to your home or office. You can place them on your desk or bookshelf to enhance creativity and productivity. Moonstone is also believed to help promote harmony and balance in your space.
How to tell if Moonstone is real
Although fake moonstone is not very common, it does exist. Most moonstone is fairly abundant, affordable and accessible so it is easy for crystal stores and sellers to get. That said, when buying moonstone online you should do your research first.
Does it have flash? one of the most significant features of moonstone is its adularescence, which is the distinctive sheen and sparkle it has. If you hold moonstone in the light and move it around you should see this. If you don't, it doesn't necessarily mean it's fake but you should also ask yourself the following:
Is it warm to touch?
Can I see air bubbles?
It is heavier than glass?
Does it look too perfect?
Is the price too good to be true?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, it could be fake.
Moonstone has a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5, which means it's relatively soft and can be easily scratched by harder materials. This is why it is not recommended to cleanse or charge with salt. If your moonstone is too hard or doesn't scratch easily, it may not be a real.
Additionally, moonstone has a gravity of around 2.5 to 2.6, which means it should feel relatively light for its size. If a moonstone feels unusually heavy for its size, it may be a synthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about moonstone? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we get asked at your crystal store in Hamilton.
How much is moonstone worth?
Like other crystals, the value can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the quality, size, and origin of the stone, as well as the demand for the gemstone in the market.
Generally speaking, moonstone from Sri Lanka is considered the most valuable and highly sought after, especially if it displays a strong blue adularescence.
The size and clarity of the stone also play a significant role in determining its value. In jewelry, stones with greater clarity are often used.
Can moonstone go in water?
Moonstone is a relatively delicate gemstone, and it's not recommended to immerse it in water for an extended period of time. Water can cause damage to the surface of the stone, especially if it has natural fractures or inclusions.
Can moonstone go in the sun?
Although wearing your jewelry outside or having a crystal near your window won't damage your moonstone, it shouldn't stay in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
Direct sunlight can cause a reaction in the crystal lattice structure of the moonstone, which can cause the colour to change or for it to lose it's flash.
Where should I keep my moonstone?
When storing your moonstone, it's also important to keep it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Store it in a cool, dry place, aways from anything that could cause it to scratch.
Is moonstone toxic?
Moonstone is not known to be toxic. It is a type of feldspar mineral that is generally safe to handle and wear.
Comments