Moonstone Jewelry

Moonstone and rainbow moonstone

Moonstone is the best-known gem of the feldspar group. Its signature is adularescence, the soft light that seems to billow across the stone as it moves, and GIA describes the finest moonstone as showing a blue sheen on a colorless background. Rainbow moonstone, the stone in most of this collection, is a trade name for a white variety of labradorite, a closely related feldspar; its sheen is often blue with flashes of other colors. It is not the same mineral as classic moonstone, and we name it plainly on every product page. A few pieces use classic white or blue-sheen moonstone. Our moonstone guide has more.

A June birthstone with a long memory

Moonstone is one of the June birthstones, alongside pearl and alexandrite. Ancient Romans and Greeks linked it with their moon deities, Hindu mythology described it as solidified moonbeams, and Art Nouveau designers René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany both used it. That history gives moonstone birthstone jewelry a romantic, slightly mysterious feel. See the June birthstones, birthstones by month or birthstone jewelry.

How to judge moonstone

Look at the glow first: a bright, even sheen that floats across the stone as you tilt it, set against a clear or milky body. Cabochons, the smooth domed cut used for most pieces here, show the effect best. For rainbow moonstone, a lively blue flash with hints of other colors is what you want; some stones carry small dark needle inclusions, which are natural. India and Sri Lanka are the most important sources of moonstone.

Caring for moonstone

Moonstone rates 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale with poor toughness, and it can crack when exposed to high heat. It is lovely in earrings and pendants; a moonstone ring is best worn for occasions, in a bezel or halo that protects the edges of the cabochon. Clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, never with ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and store it apart from harder gems. Our Mohs hardness scale and jewelry cleaning guide go further.

How to choose moonstone jewelry

White gold and platinum make moonstone's blue sheen look cool and luminous; yellow and rose gold give it a warmer, vintage softness. A diamond halo or starburst brightens the glow for evening, while bezel studs and slim stackable rings are easy everyday pieces. Because each cabochon is unique, expect small variations in sheen from piece to piece. Rings are made to order in your size, so check the sizing guide first.

Moonstone Jewelry at a glance