Moonstone (gemstone)
- Orthoclase
- Orthoclas
The Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase (synonym: adularia ) and thus belongs to the group of the feldspars. It received its name due to its shimmer, reminiscent of moonlight.
Special Features
The moonstone is characterized above all his adularescence, a bluish-white glow that slides over the entire surface of the stone when it's moved. Moonstones, which originate from the classical country of origin Sri Lanka, are usually almost completely transparent to milky white and have a delicate bluish luster. Stones from India, however, show a gloomier tone, which plays into the orange. It can cloud-like light and shadow occur.
Education and Locations
As a variety of feldspars that form mixed batches, occurred after the cooling of the rock mass and by weathering on kryptoperthitische segregation. Due to refraction and scattering of the light at the exsolution lamellae of moonstone appears cloudy and the superposition of the refracted light rays produce the coveted moonstone effect.
The most significant deposits of the moonstone are located in Sri Lanka ( Gangapitiya, Meetiyagoda, Ratnapura ).
Furthermore, moonstones in Australia ( Northern Territory, Queensland), Brazil, India, Madagascar, Myanmar ( Mogok ), Austria ( Spitz ), Tanzania and the United States ( Cambria, Cleveland, Coosa County, Danbury / Connecticut, Moonstone Beach / Kingston, North Carolina) found.
Use as a gemstone
Moonstone is used exclusively as a gemstone. Mostly, it is cut to a cabochon, since this form brings to those induced by its lamellar structure luster to its best advantage. With sharply defined light stripe a Chatoyieren is observed (cats eye effect ). Because of its low hardness and perfect cleavage Moonstone is very sensitive to pressure.
Manipulation and imitation
Genuine moonstone gemstone quality is rare, so it is offered often imitated by white labradorite commercially. This is particularly true for the term "Rainbow Moonstone " to. Other imitations are produced using burnt amethyst, synthetic spinel and glass.
The following trade names are currently in circulation (as of 2007 ):
- Blue Moonstone and California Moonstone - misleading for chalcedony with a bluish glow
- Canadian Moonstone
- Rainbow Moonstone - Blue Iridescent white labradorite ( Feldspatfamilie )
- Black Moonstone - obsolete name for labradorite
Esoteric
Esoteric organize the moonstone to the zodiac sign Cancer or fish. In addition, he is a symbol for Venus Stone ( Richardson / Huett ), Neptune ( Richardson / Huett ) or the moon. In German-speaking countries, it stands for the month of June.
As a healing stone to relieve Moonstone headaches and gynecological problems ( cycle problems ), and generally strengthen the psyche. Scientific evidence for the alleged physical and mental effects do not exist.