COLLECTION
Moonstone Necklaces
Moonstone carries its light within: move it, and a bluish glow glides across the milky white stone. Here you'll find moonstone necklaces from By Carola, raw, as a teardrop or as a cylinder, in 14K gold-filled or 925 sterling silver. Moonstone is also a June birthstone.
More stones: Tourmaline · Labradorite · Rose quartz · Moonstone · Birthstones · Guide
Moonstone necklace: a glow like moonlight
Moonstone is a variety of the feldspar orthoclase, chemically a potassium aluminum silicate. Inside it, extremely thin layers of orthoclase and albite alternate. They scatter the light and create a bluish white glow that seems to glide across the stone. This effect is called adularescence.
Name and meaning
Moonstone owes its name to this glow, which recalls moonlight. The Roman scholar Pliny wrote that its appearance changed with the phases of the moon. The technical term adularescence goes back to adularia, a feldspar named after the Adula massif in the Alps. By tradition, moonstone stands for intuition and new beginnings.
Raw, teardrop or cylinder
The raw moonstone measures about 12 to 14 mm and is set by hand, as a necklace or as a moonstone pendant only. It is one of the bestsellers at By Carola. The teardrop is polished smooth, about 13 to 14 mm, and shows the glow especially clearly. The cylinder is slim, cut with six sides, and measures about 10 mm. Teardrop and cylinder are drilled crosswise and sit directly on the chain without a setting. You can wear all three at 40 or 45 cm (15.7 or 17.7 in).
A genuine stone from Sri Lanka
Every moonstone at By Carola is genuine and comes from Sri Lanka. Its glow is a little different in every stone, so no two moonstone necklaces are alike.
Care
Moonstone has a hardness of 6 to 6.5 and is sensitive to hard knocks. Keep perfume and lotion away from it. Clean the stone with lukewarm water, a little mild soap and a soft cloth, but never in an ultrasonic cleaner. Store the necklace dry and on its own. Pendant and chain are water-resistant.
Moonstone at a glance
| Mineral | Feldspar (orthoclase with albite) |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | KAlSi₃O₈ |
| Light effect | adularescence, a bluish white glow |
| Color | colorless to milky white |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6 to 6.5 |
| Main sources | Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Tanzania |
| Birth month | June |
In June, moonstone shares its place with the pearl: June birthstone. Why light seems to float in moonstone is explained in the Journal: Moonstone: why light floats in this stone. A close relative from the feldspar family is labradorite with its play of color. More stones: Tourmaline, Rose quartz and every month under Birthstone Jewelry.
Frequently asked questions
What is adularescence?
That is the name for the bluish white glow in moonstone. Inside the stone, extremely thin layers of two feldspars alternate and scatter the light. Depending on the angle, the shimmer seems to glide across the stone.
What does moonstone mean?
By tradition, moonstone stands for intuition and new beginnings. Romans and Greeks associated it with their moon deities. This meaning is based on tradition.
Is moonstone a birthstone?
Yes. Alongside the pearl, moonstone is the best-known June birthstone. It suits everyone born in June, whether Gemini or Cancer.
Raw, teardrop or cylinder: which moonstone necklace suits me?
The raw moonstone looks natural, and every stone has its own shape. The smooth teardrop shows the glow most clearly. The slim cylinder looks clean and pairs well with other necklaces.
Is a moonstone necklace water-resistant?
Yes, pendant and chain are water-resistant. Clean the moonstone with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, never in an ultrasonic cleaner, and protect it from hard knocks.
