Moonstones are unique and stunning gemstones that radiate light. The name Moonstone comes from the stone itself, as each time the stone moves the mysterious gleaming light appears to reflect differently. In the jewellery industry this effect is commonly known as adularesence. The moonstone then also gets its name from this effect which is similar to the waxing and waning of the moon. Having a shimmering effect similar to opals and other stones, moonstones are ideal and interesting for use in jewellery manufacture. They were especially popular in antique costume moonstone jewellery.

The traditional country of origin for the moonstone is Sri Lanka. Moonstones from this part of the world seem to shimmer with a blue colour against a pale and almost translucent background. This is in direct comparison to moonstones from India, which are generally cloud-like in appearance and range from
beige to green, brown and orange in colour.

Moonstone has always been a popular choice for jewellery and antique jewellery only serves to reinforce this. In the time of the Art Nouveau movement moonstones were commonly used in jewellery manufacture. They were also used to great advantage to enhance and decorate jewellery created by the famous French Master Goldsmith, René Lalique. His unique pieces can have survived to the current day, but unfortunately can only be viewed in museums. Moonstones are considered an ancient stone and are thought to have magical and mystical properties. Of course, different cultures have attributed different meanings to the stone from sweet and beautiful to fertility. Antique moonstone jewellery is stunning and thankfully the effect can be recreated in full today with antique costume moonstone jewellery.

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