What is Moonstone Used For?

One of the most interesting stones available is the moonstone. Moonstone has been known to man since the beginning of civilization and its wonderful qualities is what makes it a treat to the eyes and senses.

Moonstone is made from Feldspar an extremely common stone. Feldspar covers perhaps 60% of the earth’s crust and is from the German word meaning field rock. Moonstone contains no metals or ores, but does have a crystal structure to it.

Moonstone’s most common use is that of ornamental jewelry. It has some distinct attributes including adularescence, which is the ability of light to enter into the crystalline structure and bounce back and forth creating an aura or shimmering quality. This quality is what makes moonstone the most valuable. Moonstone can come in many colors; however the most popular color is blue. Other colors that Moonstone can come in are yellow, brown, green and multi colored.

Moonstones can come in many forms and many times it is sculpted or inscribed. Sometimes Moonstone may have faces such as a happy moon or other jovial designs. Moonstone comes in many sizes, while beads and other shapes are popular, Moonstone can be big enough to create small statues. Due to its adularescence it has been used also for religious symbols.

Besides ornamental jewelry, Moonstone has a few industrial uses. For instance, Moonstone is used in certain abrasives for cleaning products. It is also popular with ceramic buffs that use moonstone as special glazes for the ceramic items that they create.

The History and Origins or Moonstone

Moonstone is a fascinating and intriguing type of gemstone. Moonstone is extremely common due to the fact that it is made from Feldspar. Feldspar is a word from German that means field rock or a rock having no ore (metal) inside it. Feldspar can be found in almost 60% of the earths crust. While general Moonstone usually looks like nothing special, when a professional jeweler cuts the stone, it is amazing what they can bring out.

The reason that moonstone is so popular is its distinct quality of shimmer. Usually shimmering qualities make the stone magical and mystical. It also makes the stone very feminine. Moonstone due to the shimmering effect called adularescence creates an aura around the stone. You might have to play with the stone and look at it in different angles to see this effect.

Moonstone can come in many different colors including the most popular blue. However it can be available as orange, yellow, green brown or even colored. Moonstone has been known to man since early civilization and it was thought to be magical. In the Arabic culture, it is used till today to promote fertility. Many women have the stone sewn into fabric that they wear out of sight. In other cultures, such as India, Moonstone can be made into religious objects and are seen as holy.

Moonstone is a wonderful gemstone, although it found in many regions of the world. It is made into many pieces of jewelry most notably, charms, rings and other types of ornaments.