What is Moonstone?

Moonstone is part of the feldspar mineral group. It is made of sodium potassium aluminum silicate and has a pearly opalescent look. Moonstone is translucent and comes in colors of white and grey but also orange, green, blue, pink, brown and rainbow. The meaning of Moonstone is feminine energy and new beginnings.

The Gemstone of Inward Vision

• Full of feminine energy
• A tool for divine wisdom
• Popular in spiritual healing

Like the great glowing anchor of the sky, the magic of the Moonstone enchants us with its bright feminine energy, its tide-like tug, and its promise of cyclical change. For centuries, the moon has been a symbol of the goddess spirit, hanging like an orb above our heads, sometimes a slip of light, other times as fat and full as harvest. The Moonstone captures all this magic and more, this albite mineral is shot through with light beams and a milky sheen also known as adularescence. It is an orthoclase stone – also known as a variety of feldspar mineral. The Moonstone has been sourced from many far-flung corners of the globe, from the tea terraces of Sri Lanka to the whimsical shores of Madagascar, the Aurora lands of Norway, and the vast expanse of Australia.

Just like the moon that hangs in our sky, the Moonstone has been around for many seasonal shifts. In India, the Moonstone has a long history of being a tool used to bring divine wisdom and skills of clairvoyance to the table. In Ancient Rome, the Romans believed that the pearly sheen of the Moonstone was a shard of solid moonlight. It was said that those who glanced into the stone could see the Goddess Diana and that this pearly talisman would bring love and fortune to the wearer.

As Europe entered the Art Nouveau period, the Moonstone once again spun its magic and the stone saw a new flight of flourish as it became the centerpiece for jewelry and transcendent practices. The swinging sixties also saw the Moonstone be celebrated once again, especially as a spiritual tool for healing, and even now, in our modern world, the Moonstone hasn’t lost that connection with being a special amulet to drive our wellness into new realms. To find out more about how the Moonstone can send light shimmering to your heart keep reading.

If the Moonstone isn’t lighting your way, find a stone that shines on you by checking out our Essential Gemstone Guide right here. 

Moonstone Varieties

The soft water like qualities and pearly white light of the Moonstone is the look most synonymous with its name, but there are many different varieties of this unique stone.

White Moonstone 

Shot through with the clearest white light, the White Moonstone captures the hope and promise of the new moon. This stone is a great magnifier of emotions but does it in a way that doesn’t compromise balance.

 

Peach or Yellow Moonstone 

Like the moons that shine overhead in the depths of the summer months, the Peach or Yellow Moonstone brings a gorgeous glow that lights up the dark and washes away fears and anxieties.

 

Rainbow Moonstone 

Rich in Goddess energy, the Rainbow Moonstone is all prisms of light and psychic protection. Ever ready to lend a hand with lucid dreaming and sweet clarity, this stone is a cosmic connector.

 

Gray Moonstone

Like the full moon on Halloween night, the gray Moonstone is all about pulling back the veil so you can peer beyond the periphery. This is one of the more mystic styles of Moonstone.

 

Cat’s Eye / Blue Moonstone

A bright balancer of energy and ever ready to welcome the ebb and flow of yin and yang, the Cat’s Eye or Blue Moonstone is all about seeing patterns, letting go, and sitting in a softened state of awareness.

 

Moonstone Healing Properties

Delight in the divine feminine, find your good fortune, and say yes to deeper levels of crystal healing with the powers of the Moonstone. This kaleidoscopic crystal loves to bring light into your life, and just like the cosmic rock that hangs in our sky, the Moonstone is connected to all our emotions, the turns of the tide, the light and the dark, and the depths of our own soul. The healing powers of the Moonstone crosses from the spiritual to the physical, take a look at all the ways this pearly stone can bring back balance…

Physical Healing Properties

• Helps with PMS and hormonal balance
• Assists with fertility issues

Being so linked to the Goddess energy and the divine feminine, It’s no surprise that for those people who suffer from PMS, the Moonstone could be your ticket to softer symptoms and better hormonal balance. The Moonstone powerfully affects the reproductive organs and brings your body into its own cycle. For those who are struggling with fertility issues, the Moonstone can also help to bring these issues into healthier fruition. Parents to be will also find strength and power in the Moonstone as it can help to ease all kinds of physical discomforts often associated with pregnancy and childbearing.

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

• Can comfort in times of change
• Encourages harmony and balance

If you’ve ever felt like you were losing your mind on a full moon, then this is just a hint as to how much the Moon affects our emotional balance. The Moonstone is here to shine a light through the darkness and to elevate all those feelings. When you take a symbol of the moon and keep it on your person or in your life, it will intuitively link you to the universe and can bring all those wild hormones into check, ensuring that you are moving in flow with the world outside your window. The Moonstone is also known as the stone of new beginnings. Everything passes, everything changes and the Moonstone reminds you how important it is to embrace the cyclical nature of the seasons and not to fear the turning of the page and the potential of new chapters. Rather than sink into overwhelm, the Moonstone helps you to process and accept through the harmony of its natural healing powers.

Metaphysical Properties

• Connects to the third eye and the crown chakras
• Deepens psychic capabilities

Cosmic and charming, the Moonstone is rich with psychic abilities and a great connector to the chakras. There is something deeply spiritual about this glimmering stone – just like watching the moonbeams dance of the midnight ocean, it instils us with a sense of wonder and calm. The Moonstone connects beautifully with the Heart Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra, the two chakras that invite us to look deep within so that we can see far beyond the confines of our own periphery. These two chakras when open and attuned help us to find our place in the universe and help us to feel part of this great cosmic jigsaw swirling above our heads.

Zodiac Birthstone

• A birthstone for Libra
• A good match for Scorpio

The Moonstone is one of the mothering birthstones for those born under the star sign of Libra. Librans are known for their gentle diplomatic nature and for being as sharp as a tack. But at times, Librans can also be a little indecisive, too shy away from any form of confrontation, and never that up for change. The Moonstone can help Librans to accept change in their life with grace and glory, to not fear the decision-making process because like the moon, life rises and falls and nothing remains a constant.

Scorpios too may find solace in the round glow of the Moonstone. Scorpios are brave and bright and unflinchingly loyal. They can also be quick to reactive behavior and turned towards jealousy. The Moonstone can bring its gentle feminine energy to the table to balance this out, ensuring that the contemplative yin nature is present alongside the push of the yang.

If you want to find out which other stones are connected to your zodiac signs, take a look at our beautiful birthstone guide right here. 

Using This Gemstone

Check out our Moonstone Energy Bracelet

• Wear for chakra cleansing and embracing change
• Welcome to the home for creative play
• Keep beside the bed to assist with fertility

Whether you choose to bring the Moonstone into your home or if you look for it as the centerpiece for your gemstone jewelry, those who want to wash out negative energy, rebalance emotions, and say yes to more feminine feels in their life will adore this watery white and beautifully bright stone. Here are the best ways to say yes to Moonstone…

Home & Office 

Bring the healing vibes of Moonstone into your home. The magic of Moonstone can be an amazing asset to your Feng Shui practice thanks to all that rich feminine energy. As mentioned, the Moonstone represents the divine and emotional balance making it a great stone for bringing harmony into your home. Place the stone in places where family or shared house tensions can run high and let it bring the temperature down into a softer and cooler place. Find a home for your Moonstone in studios and workspaces to welcome a little more creative play, and place the stone close to the bed for when you are aiming to bring power and positive balance to fertility issues.

Jewelry

If you truly want to make the most of the Moonstones power then the best way to bring it into your world is with Moonstone jewelry. Whether you choose a glorious glowing Moonstone bracelet or a beautiful Moonstone ring upon your finger, having the stone set directly against your skin allows for maximum absorption of its power. When gemstones are placed on the skin, the stone is able to work with the natural frequencies of your body, sending those healing vibes right where are they needed.

Other stones that complement the Moonstone include the protective energy of Obsidian, the shimmer of Opal, the iridescent nature of Labradorite, and the serene vibes of Amethyst.

How to Cleanse your Moonstone Crystal

• Cleanse with water
• Charge with moonlight

Like all gemstones and healing crystals, your Moonstone will work best when it is kept regularly cleansed and charged. Healing crystals are forever mopping up negative vibes and sending our positive energy and to keep this flow fresh and fully activated, you may want to wash away those negative vibes from time to time. Just like the moon hanging in the sky, Moonstone reacts beautifully to the combination of water and moonlight. Simply run your Moonstone underwater to cleanse its energy and then leave on the windowsill or in view of the waxing or full moon so it can soak up those rays.

Geological Properties

Moonstone Rock Properties

Chemical Classification
Feldspar mineral (potassium aluminum silicate)

Chemical Formula
KAlSi3O8 (orthoclase) or (Na,K)AlSi3O8 (albite)

Crystal System
Monoclinic

Color
White, peach, gray, blue, and other colors

Streak
White

Luster
Vitreous to pearly

Transparency
Transparent to translucent

Occurrence
Metamorphic rocks and pegmatites in various parts of the world

Formation
Formed by high-pressure metamorphism of pre-existing rocks or by hydrothermal alteration

Diaphaneity
Transparent to translucent

Cleavage
Perfect in one direction, good in two others

Mohs Hardness
6 – 6.5

Specific Gravity
2.56 – 2.59

Diagnostic Properties
Adularescence, schiller effect

Chemical Composition
Potassium aluminum silicate

Crystal System
Orthorhombic

Optical Properties
Biaxial positive

Refractive Index
1.518 – 1.526

Birefringence
0.05 – 0.008

2V angle
63° – 69°

Dispersion
0.008

Other Characteristics
Adularescence, schiller effect

Final Thoughts on Moonstone

Moonstone is a magical gem to bring into your life. For those who crave a little more goddess energy, who want to stay tuned to the bigger picture, and who may need a little extra help when it comes to embracing positive energy around change, the Moonstone could be just the gem to bring radiant light that cuts through the darkness.

Would you choose to wear Moonstone? Are you drawn to its shimmering power? Share in the comments.

Moonstone FAQs 

What does Moonstone do?

Moonstone is a glorious stone rich in feminine healing energy. It is known as the stone of inward vision meaning that it helps you to stay soft and balanced and always intune with your true and authentic self. Moonstone also serves to remind us that life moves in cycles and helps us to prepare for change and new beginnings.

What is Moonstone good for?

Moonstone is a good gemstone for balancing out your emotions, keeping your yin and yang energy in check, and bringing light into the dark corners of your life. It is ripe with feminine energy and is also said to help with PMS issues and fertility. It can keep hormones in check and is also useful for cleansing those higher chakras such as the third eye and the crown.

What does a Moonstone look like?

Just like the name suggests, Moonstone looks like a mini version of the moon. Pale and bright, this stone seems to have a natural glow to it. Moonstone can come in several varieties – from white Moonstone to peach or yellow Moonstone and Rainbow Moonstone which has many colors swirling beneath the pearly surface.

How to identify raw Moonstone?

Natural or raw Moonstone may not have the pearly brightness and smooth glow that we associate with tumbled Moonstone. Instead, raw Moonstone may be bluer in sheen and have a layered structure inside. If your Moonstone is too blurred or similar throughout or catches the light at every angle, it could mean that it’s not the real deal.

How to tell if Moonstone is real?

One of the best ways of telling if your Moonstone is real is to check the difference in the layers beneath the surface. A true Moonstone will have both orthoclase and albite holding each other within the makeup of the stone. A real Moonstone will most likely have a blue sheen and will catch and play with the light at certain angles. It won’t at all angles though so if your stone is shooting off light from every angle it may not be real.

What does Moonstone represent?

Moonstone represents inner clarity, cyclical change, and a connection to the feminine. It is a symbol of light and hope and also encourages us to embrace new beginnings. It is closely linked to themes of femininity such as fertility, balance, softness, and intuition.

Where does Moonstone come from?

Moonstone comes from many far-flung corners of the globe but it is mostly sourced in Sri Lanka and Southern India. You can also find Moonstone in Madagascar, Norway, and Australia.

Where is Moonstone found?

Moonstone is found across the world. It is sourced in Sri Lanka, Southern India, Madagascar, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA.

Can Moonstone go in water?

Moonstone scores a 6 – 6.5 on the mohs hardness scale. Usually stones that are over a 5 are considered to be water safe. While a quick rinse every now and then shouldn’t negatively impact your Moonstone, as with all crystals and gems, we don’t recommend leaving it immersed in water for long periods of time.

How to charge Moonstone?

Charge up your Moonstone by leaving it on the windowsill in the light of the moon. It should come as no surprise that this gem reacts well to the energy of its namesake. Other ways to charge your Moonstone on dark nights include leaving it in the presence of other healing gems like Selenite and Clear Quartz.

What color is Moonstone?

One of the most awe inspiring things about the Moonstone is its range of gorgeous colors. The Moonstone can appear opaque and pearly white. It can also have a bluish or gray look to it. The spectrum of color can range from pink to yellow, green, brown, or it can even be colorless.

What does Rainbow Moonstone do?

Rainbow Moonstone is a beautiful stone that seems to capture even more light and play and mystical energy within its ever changing colors. This pretty gem shares many similar properties to Moonstone and is all about feminine power and intuition. The Rainbow Moonstone also helps with psychic protection and lucid dreaming too.

How much is Moonstone worth?

The price of Moonstones can vary depending on cut, color, and clarity. You can pick up a piece of Moonstone for $10 but this can rise to over $1000. The clearer the Moonstone, the more it will be worth and the blurrier it is, the more the cost will be compromised.

What chakra is Moonstone?

The Moonstone is related to the higher chakras. It is linked to the crown chakra – our most important chakra for bigger picture thinking and connecting to the cosmos. It is also linked to our third eye chakra – the gateway to our inner wisdom and strengthening our intuition. Moonstone also works on the heart chakra – helping us to heal old wounds, nurture compassion, and be open to receiving and giving love.

Where to find Moonstone

Moonstones aren’t considered to be a rare or hard to source gemstone and you should have luck picking it up from any crystal seller. Always make sure that the crystal seller you choose is reputable so you can be sure you are getting the real deal when it comes to your magic Moonstone.

How to use Moonstone?

place the gemstone on your womb space during times of trouble.

Is Moonstone a crystal?

Moonstone is a feldspar mineral. It is made of sodium potassium aluminum silicate and is formed from two different feldspar minerals known as albite and orthoclase. Moonstone is also called a crystal mineral.

Is Moonstone expensive?

The cost of Moonstone can vary but overall – it is considered to be a relatively affordable stone. You can pick Moonstone up for $10 but the higher the quality of the piece and the higher the price will be. Some pieces of Moonstone can go for $1000 or more if they are of the right clarity.

What do Moonstones do?

Moonstones are magical gems that are known to symbolize inward vision. Like the moon shining in the darkest of nights, the Moonstone invites us to look deep within and connect to our core. These glowing gems help to magnify our emotions in a way that helps us to sort through them. They also connect us to our feminine energy and help us to embrace themes of truth and change.

What does Moonstone symbolize?

One of the major themes that Moonstone symbolizes is the idea of the feminine divine. It helps us to step into our feminine or our yin energy and to balance our emotions, embrace cyclical change, and stay connected to our intuition. It can also symbolize vision, balance, seasonal shifts, and a sense of deep calm.

Does Moonstone glow in the dark?

Like the orb that lights up the sky, the Moonstone has adularescence which gives it that gentle glow. However, this gem does not have phosphorescent materials in its make up which means that it does not glow in the dark.

How to clean Moonstone?

One of the best and fastest ways to cleanse your Moonstone is to simply run it under water. Running it under water will discharge any built up energy or blockages leaving the gem ready to work at the top of its game. You can also discharge Moonstone by smudging it or by using a singing bowl.

How to cleanse Rainbow Moonstone?

All gemstones enjoy a delicate hand when it comes to cleansing. The best way to keep your Rainbow Moonstone clean is to run it under tepid water for a few moments and then use a soft cloth to dry it. If you want to avoid water, you can also use non invasive methods like smudging, sound baths, and leave it in the presence of other crystals like clear quartz and selenite.

Is Moonstone opal?

No, Moonstone and opal are different gemstones although they do share some similar properties such as color and themes of purity and peace. However, the opal is usually sourced in Australia and has a higher water content than the Moonstone. The Moonstone is a gem of femininity and new beginnings whereas the opal is about faith and friendship.

What are Moonstones good for?

Moonstones are amazing gems for balancing energy, helping temper and calm emotions, and for putting you in touch with the feminine divine. For those who have high yang energy or who struggle with overwhelm, Moonstone can help you to embrace your feelings without being drowned out by them. It’s also a good gem for issues around PMS, fertility, and childbirth.

What is Moonstone for?

Moonstone can be used for many things. It can be used to clear the third eye and awaken the crown chakra. It can be used to balance and harmonize your yin and yang elements. It can be used to help solve issues around fertility, PMS, and hormones. It can also be used to connect you with the feminine divine, foster peace, and encourage you to embrace new beginnings.

What is Rainbow Moonstone?

Rainbow Moonstone is a feldspar mineral. While it is not technically a variety of Moonstone, it is so similar that it now falls under the Moonstone category although it is a kind of labradorite The Rainbow Moonstone has many colors shimmering beneath its surface and is used for balance, harmony, and to enhance creativity and compassion.

What does Moonstone help with?

Moonstone helps with all kinds of healing across the physical, emotional, and spiritual. Physically it helps with PMS and fertility. Emotionally it can help bring your hormones into balance and invites you to accept change and embrace new beginnings. Spiritually it is a stone that centers around intuition, clarity, and connection with the feminine divine. It also links to the heart chakra, the third eye, and the crown chakra too.

How to polish raw Moonstone?

You can polish raw Moonstone using a rock tumbler if you have one. If you don’t have access to a rock tumbler you can also polish it by hand using the lowest grade of sandpaper and building up to a finer grain to achieve the texture you want. You can polish and buff it with a soft cloth afterwards to give it that gorgeous shine.