The meaning behind June's birthstone: Moonstone
Moonstone…
is the best-known gem of the feldspar group of minerals. It is renowned for its adularescence, the light that appears to billow across a gemstone, giving it a special glow. The finest moonstones show a blue sheen against a colorless background. Associated with both the Roman and Greek lunar deities. Hindu mythology claims this June birthstone it is made of solidified moonbeams. Moonstone is often associated with love, passion and fertility; it is believed to bring great luck.
The great designers of the Art Nouveau era (1890s–1910s), René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany, have featured moonstone in their fine jewelry. Moonstone came into fashion again during the 1960s “flower child” movement and with New Age designers of the 1990s.
Moonstone’s delicate beauty and its long-established heritage make it perhaps the most familiar gem-quality member of the feldspar group.
Feldspars are the most widespread minerals in the earth’s crust, as well as some of the most diverse. It is possible to pick up a rock anywhere in the world, and you’ll probably find that it contains at least something from the feldspar group.
Moonstone that’s colorless with blue sheen is most valuable but is available in green, peach, brown, and gray with blue, silver, white or rainbow adularescence.
Moonstone can be shaped into beads for strands, but most often seen is the cabochon, that displays its phenomenal colors to best advantage. Moonstone cabochons are usually oval, but cutters sometimes offer cabochons in interesting shapes, such as the tapered sugarloaf—an angular cabochon with a square base.
If a moonstone is cut as a cabochon, the dimensions should be uniform, and the profile shouldn’t be too flat. Very flat cabochons don’t display sheen well and have little value.
Faceted moonstones have become increasingly common. The cut heightens brilliance and tends to hide any inclusions that might be present.
Moonstone can be found in a wide variety of places. This includes parts of the United States, such as New Mexico, North Carolina and Virginia. The most important world locations for the moonstone birthstone are India and Sri Lanka, but sources also include Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania.
Moonstone is a 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness and has poor toughness. It may crack when exposed to high heat. Therefore, ultrasonic and steam cleaners should not be used on your moonstone. The best option for cleaning is warm, soapy water with a soft brush.