Prized among jewelers and collectors alike, moonstone holds great meaning to those who tap into the healing power of crystals. Like most precious stones, moonstone comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and grades of clarity. They’re mined all over the world, but the most highly sought-after specimens generally originate from Southern Asia. Sri Lanka is renowned for being the world’s only source blue moonstones, the rarest and most valuable variety.
Moonstone crystal is one of the three birthstones for the month of June, alongside pearl and alexandrite. This makes it the ideal birthday gift for any loved ones who were born in the sixth month of the year.
Its soft colouration and feminine qualities make it hard not to fall in love with moonstone. If any of your friends or loved ones pride themselves on their extensive crystal collections, it is very likely that they have at least one moonstone on display.
What is Moonstone?
Sometimes referred to as hecatolite, moonstone is an opalescent mineral that belongs to the feldspar group. As the name suggests, moonstone possesses a unique sheen or shimmer that has captured the interest of humanity for thousands of years.
Denizens of the ancient Roman and Greek empires prized moonstone specimens as they associated them with divine lunar energy. Pieces of moonstone jewelry from various points throughout history have been uncovered all over the world, and it is still used widely in the crafting of fine decorative items both for the home and the body.
What is the Meaning of Moonstone?
The symbolism behind moonstone crystal may vary from place to place, however, it is largely believed to represent divine feminine energy. It is often associated with the great power of the lunar cycle, deriving its potent energetic power from the waxing and waning of our moon. Several cultures, communities, and civilizations ascribe great healing power to moonstone, particularly in tandem with the worship of feminine deities.
Due to its symbolic connection to the moon, moonstone is also thought to represent new beginnings. Just like the moon gradually grows and fades only to be endlessly reforged in the night sky, so does moonstone connect us to the process of starting anew.
Benefits and Healing Properties of Moonstone
The aspects of ourselves that we associate with femininity are all believed to get activated and reinforced through the healing properties of moonstone crystal. These include intuition, passion, abundance, nurturing energy, and more.
If you are feeling disconnected from your feminine side, moonstone is said to be able to bring your masculine and feminine energies back into balance. This is incredibly essential in today’s high-stress, career-centric society. If you are struggling to find time to practice some much-needed self-care, then perhaps moonstone can help you find the care and patience you need to bring some nourishment back into your life.
How to Use Moonstone?
Moonstone is an undeniably beautiful addition to any space, lending an atmosphere of serenity to its immediate surroundings. It’s a stunning decorative piece for any room in the house or as part of a crystal garden in your back yard.
As mentioned above, moonstone is widely used by jewelers to create marvellous accessories. Wearing a moonstone in a ring, bracelet, necklace, or earring is a great way to keep it close at hand should you wish to reap the healing benefits of the stone and look great while doing it.
Keeping moonstone in the common areas of your home is said to bring healing energy to those who spend time in its company. Often associated with the crown chakra, moonstone is sometimes used during crystal healing therapy or meditation to release negative thoughts, relieve pain, assist with pregnancy-related ailments, and abate stress.
Why is Moonstone so Expensive?
Certain qualities set some moonstone crystals apart from others. Milky-white, opaque moonstone is fairly easy to find and thus comparatively less expensive than other specimens. The most valuable moonstones are usually transparent and have a unique blueish hue to them. These are incredibly rare, as there are no more left in any mine that historically produced them.
Due to its unique beauty and limited supply, moonstones of this kind and jewelry made from them can fetch exorbitant prices. Some pieces have been known to go for upward of 700 USD, although such expensive ones are few and far between.
Is Moonstone a Real Gem?
Absolutely, moonstone is indeed a real gem. It is part of a family of gemstones that are revered for the unique sheen they give off – other gems in this family include orthoclase, sunstone, amazonite, and labradorite. The shimmering quality unique to this family of gemstones is referred to among experts as adularescence.
How Can You Tell Good Quality Moonstone?
When purchasing gems, it is always important to make sure you’re getting the right value for your money. Fortunately, the qualities that constitute a high-quality moonstone are fairly easy to spot.
Any cracks or other imperfections in a moonstone should be obvious to the naked eye, as quality moonstones are generally transparent. The clearer the gem is, the stronger the adularescence will be. While opaque moonstone is still popular, it is far more common and costs about a tenth of the price of clear moonstone.
Can Moonstone Be Worn Every Day?
There is no reason why you shouldn’t wear moonstone on daily basis, especially if it’s part of a beloved or sentimental piece of jewelry. However, it is widely believed that moonstone should be left to charge in the light of the moon to cleanse it of any residual negative energy and replenish its healing capabilities.
If you’ve been wearing your moonstone for a while and it doesn’t feel as potent or effective as usual, take it off for a while and be sure to charge it.
How to Clean and Recharge Moonstone?
Never use chemical cleaning products on your moonstone. Clean water is all you need to get rid of any grit or smudges on the surface of the stone (you can add a drop of gentle soap into the mix if there are particularly stubborn marks that need some extra attention). Soaking your moonstone in a natural body of fresh water is believed to draw out the accumulated negative energy, leaving it pure and ready to heal once more. Bonus points if you can find a river or a waterfall, as flowing water performs this task even more effectively.
In addition to this, leaving your moonstone outside on moonlit nights is often recommended by crystal healing practitioners. According to them, direct moonlight is the best thing to fill your moonstone crystal to the brim with divine healing energy. Which is exactly what you want!