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Moonstone is associated with the heart chakra. It is said to enhance passion, sensitivity,
intuition, physical abilities, and to bring good fortune. Moonstone is a stone of
protection, protecting women and children, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth.
Physically, Moonstone is said to aid the wearer's pituitary gland and digestive
system, and also to fight against obesity. Moonstone is also said to calm
emotions and ease hormonal and menstrual problems.
Availability :
Moonstone was once extremely popular, particularly during the Art Nouveau period.
Recent years have once again seen an increase in demand for Moonstone, particularly
fine Moonstone, and top quality specimens are now becoming increasingly rare.
Sources :
The valued bluish and nearly transparent Moonstones are most often found in Sri
Lanka (Ceylon). There are also
known deposits of Moonstones in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Switzerland, Tanzania,
and the United States.
Evaluation :
Moonstone is rated at 6 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, and special care should be taken
while wearing and whilst
cleaning the stone because of its relative fragility. That
being said, small damages that may occur after prolonged usage can be corrected
reasonably easily and affordably.
This can be accomplished by having a jeweler polish
the stone in such a way that it will regain its adularescence. Though the most valued
Moonstones have a slight blue hue, they an also be found in various colors ranging
from colorless to yellow, green, pink, peach, brown or grey with a silvery sheen.
Green Moonstone offers an intriguing delicate green color with a strong sheen. Unfortunately,
it is one of the rarer colors that Moonstone is found in.
The most valuable Moonstone gemstones are larger specimens with fine
transparency and an intense blue sheen. Moonstones are becoming increasingly rare and because
of this increasingly valuable. Moonstone has the potential to be a great gemstone
investment.
Common Cuts :
The phenomenon that gives this gemstone its importance is its schiller, which in
relation with Moonstone has been given the name adularescence.
The origin of this
phenomenal feature is its interior crystal structure. Orthoclase Feldspar and Albite
are found in close association, arranged in layers. The incoming rays of light are
reflected inside the stone and scattered. Classical Moonstone sapecimens are always
cut in a smooth-domed oval cabochon shape so as to maximize the adularescence. Sometimes
Moonstone can also be found carved with a moon face.
Routine Enhancements :
There are no know enhancements for Moonstone.
Care & Cleaning :
Moonstone jewelry is best cleaned in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft brush. As with most
gemstones, Moonstone should be
kept away from prolonged exposure to extremes of heat and household chemicals, which can cause the stone to erode,
or cause permanent color change. Because Moonstone is a relatively soft gemstone,
it should
be stored separately or alone in a fabric lined box so as to avoid chipping,
cracking, and scratching.
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