# Moonstone Guide: Properties, Colours & Jewellery UK **By Cristian Maxim** · 2025-09-27 Moonstone is a variety of feldspar mineral recognised by a distinctive optical phenomenon called adularescence: a floating, billowing glow that appears to move across the surface of the stone as the viewing angle changes. This guide covers its physical properties, how it forms, the colour varieties available, and how it is used in jewellery. ## What is Moonstone? Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase feldspar, composed of alternating thin layers of two different feldspar minerals: orthoclase and albite. These layers are too fine to see individually but together create a diffraction effect that scatters light, producing the distinctive floating glow the stone is known for. The effect is called adularescence, named after a historical source of the stone in the Adular mountains of Switzerland. ### How adularescence works As light enters the stone, it passes through the alternating layers of orthoclase and albite. At each boundary between layers, some of the light scatters sideways rather than passing straight through. The result is a three-dimensional glow that appears to sit inside the stone and shifts position as the stone or the light source moves. Thinner layers produce a more vivid blue glow; thicker layers produce a white to orange glow. How adularescence works in Moonstone A simplified cross-section of a Moonstone cabochon showing alternating orthoclase and albite layers inside the stone. Light enters from above and scatters at each layer boundary, creating the floating glow called adularescence. light enters from above orthoclase layer albite layer adularescent glow scatters at layer boundaries Simplified cross-section of a Moonstone cabochon showing alternating orthoclase and albite layers ### Physical properties at a glance - **Mineral family:** Feldspar group (potassium aluminium silicate) - **Colour:** White to colourless body, with adularescent glow in blue, white or orange; also pink, grey and green body varieties - **Mohs hardness:** 6 to 6.5 - **Lustre:** Vitreous (glassy) to pearly - **Transparency:** Translucent to semi-transparent - **Cleavage:** Two directions of perfect cleavage — requires careful handling to avoid chipping - **Crystal system:** Monoclinic - **Primary sources:** Sri Lanka, India (Rajasthan), Madagascar, Myanmar ## Moonstone colour varieties ### Classic white Moonstone The most common variety, with a white to near-colourless body and a white or pale blue adularescent glow. Sourced primarily from Sri Lanka, which has historically produced the finest examples. The finest Sri Lankan Moonstone shows a vivid blue glow across a colourless, highly translucent body — this combination is considered the most desirable in the trade. ### Rainbow Moonstone Often sold as "Rainbow Moonstone," this material is technically a variety of labradorite (a different feldspar species) rather than true orthoclase Moonstone. It displays multi-colour play of light including blue, green and gold tones. It is visually striking and widely used in jewellery, though mineralogically distinct from classic Moonstone. ### Peach and orange Moonstone Peach to orange Moonstone comes primarily from India and displays a warm body colour with a white to orange adularescent glow. The orange tones come from iron oxide inclusions within the feldspar. Less translucent than Sri Lankan white Moonstone but popular in jewellery for its warm colour range. ### Grey Moonstone Grey Moonstone has a dark grey body colour with a strong blue adularescence. The dark body makes the blue glow particularly striking by contrast. Also primarily sourced from India. **Shop Moonstone at Crystals Healing UK** Moonstone bracelets, necklaces and tumbled stones — all with free UK delivery on orders over £30. [View Moonstone collection](/collections/moonstone-crystals) ## Moonstone in jewellery ### Why is Moonstone used in jewellery? Moonstone's adularescent glow gives it a visual quality unlike most other gemstones: it appears to contain light rather than simply reflect it. This makes it particularly effective in cabochon (dome-shaped, non-faceted) cuts, which allow the adularescence to be viewed directly from above. It pairs well with sterling silver settings, which complement its cool colour range. ### Why Moonstone is always cut as a cabochon Moonstone is almost always cut as a smooth, domed oval or round cabochon rather than faceted. Faceting would break up the adularescent effect and reduce the stone's visual impact. The dome of a cabochon allows light to enter and scatter across the full width of the stone, producing the characteristic floating glow. The quality of a Moonstone cabochon is partly assessed by how centred and three-dimensional the glow appears when viewed directly above the dome. ### Moonstone bracelets Moonstone round beads (typically 6 mm to 10 mm) are widely used in stretch and knotted bracelets. The adularescence is visible in bead form, though less pronounced than in larger cabochon settings. Peach and white varieties are the most common in bracelet form. ### Moonstone rings and pendants Large oval or round cabochons are the most popular form for rings and pendants. The stone's relative softness (Mohs 6 to 6.5) means it benefits from a protective setting for everyday ring wear. Bezel or semi-bezel settings are more protective than prong settings as they wrap around the edge of the stone and reduce exposure to side impacts. ### Durability considerations With a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5, Moonstone is softer than quartz and will be scratched by harder materials over time. It also has two directions of perfect cleavage, making it more susceptible to fracturing from sharp impacts than harder stones. For bracelets and necklaces, which receive fewer direct impacts than rings, Moonstone is suitable for regular wear with normal care. See our jewellery care guide: [How to Clean Crystal Jewellery Safely](/blogs/crystals-tips/how-to-cleanse-crystal-jewellery-safely-bracelets-necklaces). ## How to care for Moonstone jewellery ### Cleaning Clean Moonstone with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, which can worsen existing fractures in the stone. Avoid harsh chemicals, acids and prolonged water exposure. ### Storage Store Moonstone pieces separately from harder stones and materials to prevent surface scratching. A soft pouch or individual jewellery box compartment is ideal. Keep away from direct heavy impact or pressure. ### Sunlight Moonstone is generally stable under normal indoor light. Avoid prolonged exposure to very strong direct sunlight for display purposes, though it is not as UV-sensitive as amethyst or rose quartz. ## Moonstone in history Moonstone has been used in jewellery for centuries. Roman and Greek cultures associated the stone's glow with moonlight, and it appeared in amulets and decorative objects in both civilisations. In the Art Nouveau period (roughly 1890 to 1910), Moonstone was a favourite of jewellers including Rene Lalique, who prized its organic, luminous quality. The stone has continued to appear regularly in both fine and fashion jewellery since that period. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is adularescence? Adularescence is an optical phenomenon produced by the diffraction of light passing through alternating thin layers of two different feldspar minerals inside Moonstone. The result is a floating glow, typically blue or white, that appears to move across the stone's surface as the viewing angle changes. ### What is the difference between Moonstone and Rainbow Moonstone? Classic Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase feldspar. "Rainbow Moonstone" is a trade name for a variety of labradorite (a plagioclase feldspar) that displays multi-colour labradorescence rather than adularescence. Both are feldspar minerals with attractive optical effects but they are technically different mineral varieties. Rainbow Moonstone typically shows more vivid colour play across a broader spectrum than classic Moonstone. ### Is Moonstone suitable for everyday jewellery wear? Moonstone is suitable for regular wear in bracelets and necklaces. For everyday rings, its lower hardness (6 to 6.5) means the surface can be scratched over time by common materials including quartz dust. A bezel or semi-bezel setting reduces this risk. Remove Moonstone rings before tasks involving hard surfaces or impacts. ### Can Moonstone go in water? Moonstone can be briefly exposed to water for cleaning. Avoid prolonged soaking, which is unnecessary and may affect metal settings. Do not place Moonstone in salt water, which can affect the surface finish over time. ### Where does Moonstone come from? The finest quality white adularescent Moonstone historically came from Sri Lanka. Today major sources include Sri Lanka, India (particularly Rajasthan), Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania. "Rainbow Moonstone" comes primarily from India. ### Where can I buy Moonstone jewellery in the UK? Crystals Healing UK offers Moonstone bracelets, necklaces and tumbled stones, with free UK delivery on orders over £30. Browse our [Moonstone collection](/collections/moonstone-crystals) or view the full [crystal jewellery range](/collections/crystal-jewellery). **Tags:** crystals for intuition, Healing Crystals, manifestation crystals, moonstone meaning, moonstone properties --- > Source: [Crystals Healing UK](https://crystalshealing.co.uk/blogs/crystals-tips/unlock-moonstone-meaning-for-healing-and-manifestation)