The moonstone gem was originally found in Sri Lanka. Now it is mined in Australia, India, Brazil, Canada and the United States, but it is becoming harder to find in recent years.
Color of the Moon
The basic characteristics of the moonstone are its luminescence, its underlying bluish tint and its incredible depth of color.
Moonstone jewelry
There are also some moonstones that have green, orange or pale champagne color beneath their transparent surface.
Some moonstones have been found sporting color in the shape of a cat’s eye or a four-pointed star.
People in ancient times believed they were actually seeing the moon within the stone because of the shimmering luminescent quality that is a unique feature of this gem.
Moonstone Folklore
There is a bit of folklore which claims that if a man gives his lover a moonstone necklace on the night of the full moon, the couple will experience intense passion for each other forever.
The moonstone is also believed to bring good fortune, enhance intuition, offer protection, and bring success in love and business matters.
Fortune tellers decorated their crystal balls with moonstone to aid them in predicting the future. It is believed that the moonstone gem regenerates its power when placed under the light of the full moon.
Moonstone in Rome, Greece and France
From ancient civilizations to our modern-day society, moonstone has been prized and sought after to be worn as jewelry.
The Romans revered the moonstone, believing it to be born from the rays of the moon’s light.
The Greeks believed that the moonstone represented the great lunar deities like Achelois, Phoebe, Artemis, Selene and Hecate, and worshiped the stone.
In the late 1800s, the moonstone became popular in France. Rene Lalique, a French goldsmith, made a large quantity of jewelry that featured the moonstone gem.
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Indian Moonstone Legends
In India, the moonstone is thought to be a sacred, powerful gemstone. Moonstones there are called “dream stones” and are believed to bring the wearer beautiful visions during sleep.
The stone is believed to bring luck in love and is given as a traditional wedding gift. Moonstones are always displayed on a cloth that is yellow, which the Indians consider a sacred color.
The legend about how the moonstone came into existence begins with a battle fought between Lord Vishnu and Bali, the demon god. Lord Vishnu destroyed Bali and broke his body into pieces. The pieces then fell to Earth as various jewels. The moonstone was formed from a piece of Bali’s eye.
Moonstone in the Middle East
In the Middle East, many women wear moonstones discretely sewn into their garments because they believe the stone is a symbol of fertility. Amulets with moonstone are hung from trees to ensure an abundant crop.
Similar to Indians, the people in the Middle East also associate the moonstone with love matters. It is believed that a couple can predict the direction of their relationship if a moonstone is placed in their mouths at the time of the full moon.
The moonstone is also offered as a blessing to young couples. It is believed that the gem will provide fertility and help to create a large and healthy family.
Oriental Beliefs
In the Orient, it is believed that the moonstone gem is actually a ray of moonlight that has solidified and that a good spirit lives inside the gem. Emperors were buried with moonstone and other symbolic gems.
In this part of the world, each piece of clothing and each gem symbolize something. There are even guidelines on what should be worn each day of the week. On Mondays, for example, it is best to wear white fabrics and moonstone jewelry.
*Disclaimer: This article is meant to serve only as an illustration of opinions and practices and should not be considered an endorsement of any kind. Any beliefs described here may not necessarily be true. No portion of the text above should be considered a source of medical advice.
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