Natural peach Moonstone 14x17 oval Cabochon 11.3ct mu10

Moonstone
Mohs hardness 6 - 6.5. Moonstone name is derived from a visual effect, or sheen, caused by light reflecting internally in the moonstone from layer inclusion of different feldspars. Moonstone is feldspar Usually milky with a bluish or yellowish tint and a pearly and opalescent luster. An alternate name is hecatolite. Moonstone is composed of two feldspar species, orthoclase and albite. The two species are intermingled. Then, as the newly formed mineral cools, the intergrowth of orthoclase and albite separates into stacked, alternating layers. When light falls between these thin, flat layers, it scatters in many directions producing the phenomenon called adularescence. Adularescence is an optical phenomenon produced most notably by moonstones. Adularescence is also commonly referred to as schiller or shiller. The effect is best described as a milky, bluish luster or glow originating from below the surface of the gemstone. The schiller, appearing to move as the stone is turned (or as the light source is moved), gives the impression of lunar light floating on water (accounting for moonstone's name). Though white schiller is the most common, in rarer specimens, orange or blue lusters are produced.
Deposits of moonstone occur in: Australia, the Austrian Alps, Mexico, Madagascar, Myanmar, Norway, Poland, Sri Lanka, and the United States.

MOONSTONE - foster happiness, good fortune, nurturing, mothering, unselfishness, humanitarian love, hope, spiritual insight, easy childbirth, safe travel on water, new beginnings, abundance and ancient wisdom. This stone gets us in touch with our feelings and is linked with the moon. It is best to attune its energies to the moon's phases. Moonstone is protective of women and nature, and is a sacred stone of the Moon Goddess.

Modern June birthstone: moonstone or alexandrite