In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Moonstone is a feldspar, and two things about feldspar decide how you should look after it. It is only 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and it has cleavage, meaning directions along which a sharp blow can split it cleanly. Handle it with a little care and that soft blue-white glow will look just as good years from now as it does the day the parcel reaches you.
Why moonstone asks for gentler handling
The light that seems to float over the stone is called adularescence. It comes from very thin layers inside the moonstone that scatter light as it passes through. Those same layers make it less tough than its hardness number would suggest. Pendants and earrings are the safe option. A ring works too, as long as you take it off for the gym, gardening or anything that could knock it, and a bezel setting adds protection.
Cleaning without risk
- Lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush. Rinse, then pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
- No ultrasonic or steam cleaners. The vibration and sudden heat can open up cleavage cracks.
- Keep perfume, hair spray and household cleaners away from it. Jewellery goes on last and comes off first.
Where to keep it
Ordinary dust contains quartz, and quartz and harder gems will scratch moonstone. Store it in its own soft pouch or a lined slot, not loose in a box with your other pieces. Do not leave it for long on a sunny window ledge or next to a heater.
First, check it really is moonstone
There is no point caring carefully for a fake. Opalite and milky glass are the usual substitutes. Hold the stone under one light and tilt it slowly. On a real moonstone the sheen slides across the surface as the angle changes. Glass and opalite glow the same from every direction. A stone that is flawless, perfectly even and very cheap all at once deserves extra questions, and an honest seller will put in writing that it is natural and whether it has been treated.
What drives the price
The strength and colour of the sheen come first. A bright blue glow over an almost transparent body is the top of the range. After that come clarity of the body, how well the glow is centred in the cabochon, and size.
Moonstone in tradition
In South Asian astrology moonstone is connected with the Moon (Chandra) and is worn for intuition and emotional steadiness. These are beliefs, not promised outcomes. If astrology is why you are buying, agree the weight, metal and finger with your astrologer before the ring is made, because practitioners do not all agree. Our rashi guide sets out the usual pairings.
Buying with confidence
Before you pay for any moonstone, make sure it is natural and not glass or synthetic, that any treatment is stated in writing, and that the weight quoted is for the cut stone. We check every stone on those points and photograph each one separately. Browse our moonstone, or look at red agate and yellow agate if you want something tougher for daily wear. Urdu and English gem names are on our names page. We deliver with Cash on Delivery across Karachi, usually within 1 to 2 working days, and to Lahore and the rest of Pakistan.
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