Rainbow Moonstone: A Feldspar Flasher
At 6.0 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, rainbow moonstone is a relatively soft gemstone that is hard to ignore. The soft, lunar colorings of the rainbow moonstone have awed and mesmerized many people from different cultures. Perhaps, rainbow moonstone will be able to flash its way into your heart and then into your jewelry box.
Rainbow moonstone is from the feldspar family of minerals. The soft hues of rainbow moonstone are said to create feelings of peacefulness within one’s self, while at the same time providing emotional strength, compassion, and inner confidence. Rainbow moonstone is white or clear, and at times has a pearl-like color. The rainbow moonstone has natural white inclusions. Sparkling glimpses of red, gold, blue, and green can be seen, hence the name “rainbow moonstone.” Tiny albite crystals within the stone provide a shimmering glow known as adularescence.
Rainbow moonstone has been found in India, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and the United States. Various other moonstone gemstones have been found in Mexico, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Germany. Moonstone is the birthstone for people who were born in the month of June, and can generally be found in a variety of colors, such as gray, green, yellow, blue (harder to find), brown, and pink.
Ancient Romans believed moonstone was the result of drops from the moon’s light. In Asia, moonstone is considered to be a good luck stone. In Arabic culture, the moonstone is a symbol of fertility. As a result, many Arabic women who possess this gemstone will often sew the gemstone into their clothing where it can’t be seen.
Rainbow moonstone has other metaphysical properties, according to many people. For lovers, it has been said to increase affection. It has also been said to reduce negativity and transform it into more positive energy, giving people more creativeness and better intuition. Rainbow moonstone was even used long ago as a remedy for insomnia. It was believed that placing a rainbow moonstone under the pillow would provide a more restful night’s sleep.
As mentioned above, rainbow moonstone is considered to be a soft gemstone. Nevertheless, it is a gemstone that can be placed in all types of jewelry—it just needs to be worn with care. If your rainbow moonstone becomes dull after excessive wear, it can be re-polished without much difficulty. Selenite gypsum looks similar to rainbow moonstone, but is much softer and can be scratched easily, even if you’re just using your fingernails, so make sure you’re obtaining real rainbow moonstone, not the imitation.
There is a wide range of prices for moonstone. Blue moonstone is higher priced than other moonstone gemstones because it is a rarer find, and blue moonstone prices continue to rise. Larger moonstone gemstones that provide intense color and transparency will have higher prices, too. Rainbow moonstone is affordable and a gemstone collection will not be complete without one.
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