Moonstone – June’s Modern Birthstone

Many legends and myths surround Moonstone. In Ancient times, Moonstone was believed to act as a spiritual link to lunar to the Greek goddesses Selene (Selenology is the study of the geology of the Moon) and Phoebe and their Roman equivalents of Luna and Diana. Moonstone has traditionally been used to enhance psychic abilities and to develop clairvoyance. It was said to arouse passion, bring its wearer good fortune, protect travelers, and calm the emotions.

Moonstone is the opalescent variety of Orthoclase, a common constituent of most granites and other felsic igneous rocks and is often found in huge crystals and masses in pegmatite veins. If not pearly and opalescent, orthoclase is used in the manufacture of porcelain and as an ingredient in scouring powder. It can be commonly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India, Australia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Brazil, the United States, and the European Alps and comes in a variety of colors including pink, yellow, green, brown, white, cream, and blue.