Definitive Guide to Moonstone Rings (2022)

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by Suzanne Sachs • 5 min read

THE BASICS --

Moonstones are among the most romantic stones for engagement rings, with a soft, mysterious glow that suggests moonlight. Some of the most beautiful vintage moonstone rings are from the Arts and Crafts movement and the following Art Nouveau period. Moonstone’s subtle sheen is especially suited to Art Nouveau’s organic lines and delicate coloring. This guide will tell you how to select the perfect moonstone engagement ring.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW--

What is Moonstone?

Moonstones are feldspar, like labradorite and sunstone. Feldspar forms in layers, and the reflection of light off the different layers is what gives it that glow (the technical terms are adularescence or schiller).

 

Moonstone Color

Most of the time, this glow is white, but the most valuable moonstone is eye clean and has a silvery blue adularescence. The next most valuable form of moonstone has what’s called chatoyancy or a cat’s eye effect. When light strikes the stone perpendicularly, it forms a line that looks like a cat’s eye that opens or closes as the stone moves.

Moonstone Hardness

Moonstones are between 6.0 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them harder than a typical knife, but softer than a steel nail. Moonstone is found in India, Mexico, Australia, the United States, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and many other locations. Moonstones from Sri Lanka and Myanmar are the most likely to be eye clean and display a blue schiller, but they no longer produce significant quantities of this kind.

 

Benefits of a Moonstone Ring:

• Moonstones are associated with lovers and renewal of love.

• Moonstone has inspired some of the most talented jewelry designers in history, including René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

• Antique and vintage moonstone jewelry is often the best source for eye-clean moonstones, especially moonstones with a blue schiller.

• Vintage moonstone rings are a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. Buying vintage jewelry has almost no carbon footprint, unlike buying jewelry with newly-mined stones or newly-processed gold.

Moonstone Meaning and Symbolism:

In most cultures, moonstone is associated with the moon and lunar goddesses. In ancient Hindu traditions, moonstone was thought to be solidified moonlight and a sacred stone that could only be displayed for sale if it was put on a yellow cloth (which was also considered sacred).

• Love

Some ancient Greeks called moonstone “Aphroselene,” combining the names of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, with Selene, the moon goddess. In European folklore, because of its association with the moon, moonstone symbolized renewal, including the renewal of love after
separation or even quarrels.

• Magic

Because of its beautiful, mysterious glow, moonstone still evokes magic, mysticism, and the supernatural. It even makes an appearance as a magical stone in The Vampire Diaries. Moonstone is also associated with the crown, heart, and third chakras. However, the famous Wilkie Collins novel The Moonstone is actually about a diamond called The Moonstone rather than a real moonstone.

• Scientific

In 1970, to commemorate the moon landing, the state of Florida declared moonstone the state gem, adding a new scientific association to this beautiful stone.

What to Look For in a Moonstone Ring:

If your considering a moonstone for your engagement ring, here are a few helpful hints before purchasing a moonstone ring.

Color and Glow:

Look for as clean a moonstone as possible. This is the most valuable and the strongest. A blue schiller is the most valuable kind. Because the mines that produced it are mostly tapped out, you’re more likely to find blue schiller in vintage moonstone rings rather than modern ones.

Durability:

Because moonstone is softer than most other stones, look for a setting that protects the edges. When not wearing it, keep it your vintage moonstone engagement ring in a box or protective bag rather than loose in a jewelry box with other pieces.

Moonstone looks beautiful in any shade of gold or silver. It also complements other stones and many vintage moonstone engagement rings also feature amethyst, rubies, garnets, sapphires, or diamonds.

A moonstone ring is a romantic gesture of love. Moonstone’s symbolism through history and across cultures gives it special meaning for an engagement. Whether paired with other stones or as a solitaire, moonstone has a unique elegance and charm. While moonstone was especially popular in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau period, and also in the 1960s and 1970s, you can find a vintage moonstone ring in nearly any style. Find the perfect moonstone engagement ring today for a lifetime of beauty.

 

Moonstone Rings For Everyone:

No matter which era is your favorite, these time-honored rings have a rich history and individualized character and will continue to have a timeless beauty and elegant appeal that is part of a legacy to pass on to future generations.

Find The Perfect Engagement Ring:

Vintage rings are prized not only for their beauty but also for their exquisite attention to detailing and faceting. If you’re looking for a ring with a sense of glamour, sophistication and vintage charm, explore our collection of moonstone rings today!

 

Suzanne Sachs

 

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