According to tradition, moonstone stands for intuition, feeling and feminine strength. This meaning comes from old stories about the moon and is not scientifically proven. What you can see is a stone with a soft, white glow that glides across the surface with every movement.
In this blog you read where this meaning comes from. You also read how to wear moonstone if you like the symbolism, or if you simply fall for the way it looks.
Interstellar Bracelet Moonstone
Where does the name moonstone come from?
The name comes from the glow. Inside the stone, wafer thin layers of two kinds of feldspar lie on top of each other. Light spreads between these layers, and that creates a sheen that reminds you of moonlight.
The Romans even believed that moonstone was made of frozen moonbeams. The Greeks also linked the stone to their moon gods and goddesses. That is of course not true, but it does explain why the stone got such a dreamy name. Around 1900, moonstone was also loved in the Art Nouveau style, for example by the French jeweller René Lalique.
Earring Gemstones Afterglow Moonstone
What meaning does tradition give to moonstone?
In old stories, moonstone belongs to the moon and its rhythm. That is why many people see the stone as a symbol of emotion, intuition and new phases in life. Below are the three meanings you come across most often.
Intuition and feeling
The best known meaning is intuition. In many cultures the moon stands for the unconscious, and the stone was given that role too. Some people wear moonstone as a small reminder to trust their feelings more often.
Feminine strength
Moonstone is also seen as a stone of femininity. This again comes from the moon, which is a female goddess in many myths. Think of Selene for the Greeks and Luna for the Romans.
Pendant Gemstone Blossom Moonstone
New phases and change
The moon grows and shrinks every month. That is why, according to tradition, moonstone also stands for change and a new beginning. A piece of jewellery with moonstone can then feel like a small reminder of a new job, a move or the birth of a child.
What does science say about moonstone?
There is no research that shows that moonstone changes your mood or your health. So see the meaning as a story and a symbol, not as an effect. That does not make wearing it less valuable, because you often enjoy a piece of jewellery with a personal story even more.
What is certain are the properties of the stone itself. Moonstone belongs to the feldspar family and scores 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. In that way it is very similar to labradorite, as you can read in the difference between labradorite and moonstone.
Why is moonstone a birthstone?
Moonstone is one of the birthstones for June, together with pearl and alexandrite. That makes the stone a popular gift for someone who has a birthday in June. In the overview of the birthstone per month you can see which colour belongs to each month.
Are you giving moonstone as a gift? Then add a few words about the tradition behind it. That way the piece of jewellery gets its own story straight away.
How do you wear moonstone with a personal meaning?
Choose a piece of jewellery that stays close to you, like a necklace or a bracelet. A pendant rests close to your heart. You see a bracelet yourself all day long, and that works well if you use the stone as a reminder.
At Sparkling Jewels, moonstone is listed in the specifications as a natural stone, and that is exactly what it is. The bracelets combine moonstone with beads of 925 sterling silver, gold plated or rhodium plated. We have been designing in the Netherlands since 2014, and experienced craftspeople in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong make every piece by hand.
Which shape suits your story?
The shape decides how the glow falls. An oval stone lets the light glide calmly across the surface. A flower shape like the Blossom breaks the light into small facets and looks more playful.
Also look at the size. The Afterglow earring gemstone measures 26 by 20 mm and really stands out, while the Medium Oval at 20 by 15 mm stays calmer. Not sure? Start small, because a subtle stone is easier to wear every day.
Want to change the stone more often? Thanks to the Mix & Match concept, you hang a loose gemstone on your earring or on your necklace. Take a look at the earring gemstones to see which shapes there are. Moonstone is one of the many gemstones you can combine this way.
Curious about all the shapes? In the moonstone collection you will find bracelets, earrings, rings and pendants with this stone.
Frequently asked questions about the meaning of moonstone
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
Are moonstone and maansteen the same?
Yes. Maansteen is simply the Dutch name for moonstone. In shops you often see both names used side by side.
What does a moonstone do?
According to tradition, the stone helps you trust your intuition. This is not scientifically proven. What the stone really does is spread light between its layers, and that is where the soft glow comes from.
Is moonstone a lucky charm?
In some stories it is, especially for travellers and lovers. That is also tradition and not scientifically proven. Many people like to give moonstone at a new start, such as a wedding or a first child.
Can you wear moonstone every day?
Yes, that is fine. Do take off your jewellery when you exercise, swim or shower. That way the glow stays beautiful and you avoid small scratches.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
