Mooning over moonstone

Moonstone is named for its resemblance in colour to the moon. Also referred to as the rainbow moonstone,it is mostly identified as a soft milky white stone. Moonstone also comes in a spectrum of colours ranging from colourless to grey,yellow,yellowish-orange,orange,brown,green and pink. The lovely stone can be transparent to translucent in appearance. A silvery or bluish iridescence is characteristic of moonstone and is caused by the intergrowth of two different types of feldspar with different refractive index. Moonstone has been revered and admired by various cults and generations for centuries both for its beauty as well as the beliefs surrounding the gem. The enchanting nugget is valued for its believed ability to deliver peace and harmony to the wearer. Some believe it to aid and assist spiritual alignment and in relieving emotional tension. Physically,the stone is thought to help the body assimilate nutrients and get rid of strain. Some call it the stone for women and babies. It is thought to support fertility in women. Moonstone was very popular with the Romans. They believed it to be formed out of moonlight. They crafted interesting pieces of jewellery with moonstone since 100 AD. Indians also enjoy the gemstone for similar beliefs. Sri Lanka produces the highest quality of moonstone. Moonstone deposits are also found in Brazil,European Alps,India,Madagascar,Mexico ,Tanzania ,USA and Myanmar. Classical moonstone is always cut as cabochons,height being the most important consideration for the stone cutter to bring about the optimum and desired light effect. Two moonstones must never be stored together since they scratch irreversibly. Moonstone is affordable and suits most design sensibilities.

(The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02@gmail.com)