|
| |
info
page home
crystals,
gems and minerals
|
Moonstone
(June Birthstone)
moonstone cabochons
|
Scientific:
Moonstone can be two minerals: Orthoclase
Feldspar (Potassium Aluminum Silicate) or
sometimes Albite Plagioclase Feldspar
(Sodium Aluminum Silicate). This stone can
be confused with selenite gypsum (selenite
is very soft and can be scratched with a
fingernail while Moonstone is relatively
hard).
Moonstone is potassium feldspar of the
orthoclase (adularia) species with white
shimmer, similar to moonshine (therefore
the name) the so-called adularescence.
Moonstone's cat's eye is also known.
Deposits are found in Sri Lanka, which is
often referred to as the "National Stone
of Sri Lanka", Burma (Myanmar), Brazil,
India, Madagascar, and the U.S.
The other type is Albite moonstone, which
is sodium rich. The two types of
moonstones are very similar in appearance
when cut in cabochon. In both cases, the
composition is midway between that of the
orthoclase and that of albite: albite
moonstone can be defined as a
microperthitic association of albite and
orthoclase with a predominance of albite.
These types of moonstone can be found
mainly in Canada and Kenya, but also
occurs in Sri Lanka and India.
Moonstone generally has an almost
transparent background, which is
practically colorless, pale gray, or
tinged with yellow, with a whitish to
silvery white or blue shimmer. Incipient
cleavage cracks may be visible inside the
stone.
Called Moonstone for it's resemblance to
the silvery moon, it comes in iridescent
white, peach, pink, gray and yellow. The
Greeks believed the stone ruled by Venus
(Aphrodite/Selene), calling it Aphroselene
after the Goddess Selene.
Chemical Composition: KAISi3O8
Hardness: 6 - 6.5 |
gray moonstone cabochons
|
History:
The island of Ceylon
(now Sri Lanka) has, from time immemorial,
produced the most desirable and enchanting
specimens of moonstone. According to
tradition, in the Moonstone Temple of
Anuradhapura, the steps of the altar are
faced with mosaics of gleaming moonstones.
The ruins of this temple, which was built
about 100 B.C., still can be seen today. I
did research this and found that the steps
of the altar are made of a granite stone,
and there are no mosaics of moonstone's
left.
Moonstone was used in Roman jewelry about
100 A.D. In India moonstone is still a
sacred gem; East Indian tradition holds
that moonstone is a symbol of the Third
eye and clarifies spiritual understanding.
Moonstone was very popular early in the
20th century and was extensively used in
Art Nouveau jewelry.
The extraordinary Russian tiara of ribbons
of turquoise and moonstone, wrapped around
a diamond frame, given as a Christmas
present to his wife by Ernst Louis, Grand
Duke of Hesse, in 1906, symbolizes
eternity (diamonds), true love (turquoise)
and innocence (moonstone). This tiara is
on exhibit at the Victoria and Albert
Museum. |
golden moonstone cabochons
|
Lore:
Folk law suggests that
moonstone was supposed to awaken tender
passions if placed beneath the tongues of
lovers at full moon. In addition, it was
recommended that holding a moonstone in
the mouth would refresh one's memory.
This stone has always been revered because
of its lunar attraction. It was believed
that the shiller in the stone would follow
the cycles of the moon. (Becoming greatest
when the moon was full.) In addition, it
has always been considered a "feminine, or
Goddess" stone.
In the Orient, moonstone was believed to
be the solidified rays of the moon, and
the glimmering light within was the light
of the good spirit that lived in the
stone. Occasionally, under magnification,
a peculiar flaw appears: a long inclusion
resembling a centipede.
In ancient Rome, moonstones were thought
to change their look during the lunar
phases. They also thought that a picture
of Diana, the Goddess of the Moon, could
be seen in every moonstone. In the middle
ages, people thought you could look into a
moonstone, fall into a deep sleep that
would tell you of the future. |
carved moon faces on moonstone
|
Traveler
stones was a name of moonstones because of
the protection that travelers received at
night from the gemstone.
The Asians point out that when there is a
moon there is no rain and so the name,
moonstone, means "no tears." According to
legend, a moonstone placed in the mouth
while the moon is full gives lovers the
power to read their futures together.
Superstition says it has the power to
hypnotize the person who gazes at it as it
moves back and forth.
Amulets of moonstone were hung in fruit
trees to produce abundant crops. It was
thought to protect against wandering of
the mind, insanity and epilepsy. It was
attributed to improving physical strength
and reconciling lovers. If held in the
mouth, a moonstone was supposed to help
decide matters. |
various types of golden moonstone beads
|
The
Florida State Gem: Moonstone
United States astronauts Neil Armstrong
and "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon July
20, 1969, preparing for man's first
personal inspection of the lunar surface.
Since the Apollo 11 and all other manned
space flights had blasted off from the
Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, it
came as no coincidence that the State
Legislature of Florida sought to
memorialize America's unprecedented
international, scientific and
technological triumph.
Therefore, ten months later, May 20, 1970,
Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the
Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as
the official State Gem.
Ironically, the moonstone is not found
naturally in Florida... nor was it found
on the moon. |
turn of the century carved moonstone cameo
of the goddess Diana
http://www.jewelstories.com/
|
Future
Events Ritual:
Can be performed up to at least 3 days
after a full moon. Hold a moonstone in
your hands while visualizing a possible
future course for action, such as selling
a house or accepting a new job. Then place
the moonstone beneath your tongue and
continue visualizing. After a few minutes,
remove the stone and end your conscious
effort to retain the image. If it remains,
or if your thoughts continue to revolve
around the possible act, it is a favorable
one. If your mind turns to other matters
then it is better to take a different
route.
Weight-loss Ritual:
Do not diet. Reprogram your eating habits.
Eat lighter meals at regular intervals,
avoid sugars and fats, get all the veggies
and fruits you need, and wear a charged
moonstone. Three nights after a full moon,
stand nude in front of a mirror. Study
your body closely, be honest, and be
brutal. (To successfully perform this
magic, you must know yourself, accept your
faults, and then allow yourself to
change.) Visualize yourself slimmer, in
control of your food intake, and
completely alive. Then, hold a moonstone
in your projective hand while continuing
to visualize the body and discipline you
wish to have. Rub the moonstone over the
problem areas of your body, visualizing
them melting away. Finally, carry the
stone with you at all times. When you feel
the urge to eat cheesecake, take the stone
in your receptive hand, breathe deeply for
ten seconds, push the image of food from
your mind, and then grab a juicy peach or
crunchy carrot stick.
From: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of
Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by
Scott Cunningham. |
|
Metaphysical:
Moonstone is associated with the moon and
water. It is highly associated with all
goddesses, but specifically moon
goddesses.
Moonstone is a love stone, and is said to
draw love to its wearer. It can help solve
problems between lovers. If it is worn
during sexual intercourse, it not only can
make the woman very fertile, it is said to
help impregnate her too.
Moonstone can help aid in sleeping
disorders. Place a moonstone under your
pillow at night, and it is said to help
you sleep.
To dream of a moonstone is said to be a
warning of impending danger.
Due to its affinity with water, moonstone
is supposed to protect those at sea.
Moonstones are said to open a person's
heart to nurturing qualities as well as to
help one accept the experience of love. |
|
Teresa's Rock of the Week, formerly Gail's Rock of the Week |
info
page home
|
