Gems are often valued for their appearance or monetary value. As this introduction to moonstone gems details, certain gems carry a more spiritual value than monetary.

An Introduction to Moonstone Gems

Moonstone is one of the most mythical of all gemstones. With its exotic, lunar name and its milky unique rainbow sheen, moonstone is highly prized by many practitioners of crystal and stone healing, as well as some mystic religions. Moonstone is a sacred stone to the people of India, and was named by the Romans for its ability to reflect moon light, making it a sacred stone to this culture as well. Today, the many aspects of moonstone gems continue to make them a sought after stone.

Moonstone is one of the birthstones that are used for the month of June (along with pearl) and it is also used to represent the 13th wedding anniversary. Gifts of jewelry made with this stone are commonly given for this anniversary. Moonstone comes from the mineral family of feldspar, and it is the most valuable of all stones in the feldspar family. It is composed of the mineral albite (which helps to give the stone its blue sheen) and orthoclase feldspar. Moonstone can come in many different colors, ranging from the typical milky white or gray to blue, peach, pink, yellow, brown and transparent.

The most beautiful type of moonstone is rainbow moonstone, which is a milky white to gray color with a blue and rainbow sheen that catches the light. The moonstone gem is found in several different areas of the world, such as Brazil, India, Germany, Madagascar, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Tanzania and the US. It is prized in many cultures and used in Zodiac, traditional crystal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and many other areas.

Moonstone gems many mystical properties offer the wearer or the possessor protection and healing in different ways. It is believed that moonstone brings good fortune, protects women and children (who are generally under the protection of the moon), enhances passion and balances yin and yang. In ancient times, one belief stated that if a person held a moonstone in their mouth during the full moon, they could tell the future. Moonstones were also used to assure good crops.

Moonstone gems have also been attributed to have healing qualities, a notion generally believed in some cultures who value stones for spiritual healing. These properties are said to promote digestion, stop nosebleeds, and protect against epilepsy and sun stroke. Whatever the reason you choose, owning a moonstone is a good idea, even if it's just because of its beauty.

Arsene Bergkamp is with JewelryStoresforYou.com - a directory of jewelry stores.

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