All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, etc.)

[mochiko42]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Love that Mochiko! Thanks for posting it.

But I've been really good recently, showing all sorts of maturity and restraint. I will now have to ask you to cease and desist before I too catch the Must-have-the-gorgeous-Feldpar-family-relatives. Please.

I only noticed Allyce Kosnar through that FB group, I think she is a talented lapidary and it's worth keeping an eye on her stones. I really shouldn't be buying any more stones this year but you're right, it is very hard to resist!

 

[deskjockey]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Moonstones can also be faceted and come in a cat's eye variety.

I adore that faceted moonstone!

Here is a nice one currently on auction, the price is at $20 at the moment. That vendor has some nice stuff.

Oh wow, that's lovely. I'll have to get onto that group. They're on etsy too, if anyone is curious (been eyeing up a couple things there, LOL)

 

[Acinom]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Here's the labradorite one. I am a fan of long necklaces, I usually about 30 inches.
The pictures aren't great, and it's hard to capture the color with my not so good equipment at the moment, but you get the idea. Also I'm sorry for the sideways picture, I don't know why it's that way, the original isn't.

Ah, this labradorite necklace

 

[CirrusClouds]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Very nice photos!

 

[thecat]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks for putting them all together, Mochiko.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thank you Mochiko for this consolidation thread - I adore all of the stones you have mentioned and am loving going thru the old threads!! Thank you!

 

[CirrusClouds]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Definitely one of the most over-looked stones!

 

[gemandjewelrylover]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thank you for the compliment, Acinom!
Yes, Mochiko, thank you for all of your hard work putting this all together!

 

[Siameseroo]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Mochiko, I blame you for my new obsession with moonstone. These photos are so drool worthy I couldn't resist purchasing a pair from Barry!

 

[sparkleismyfavcolor]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Mochiko, I blame you for my new obsession with moonstone. These photos are so drool worthy I couldn't resist purchasing a pair from Barry!

Congrats! You're going to love them. Barry is super picky and only puts the good stuff up on his site!

Love this fun and informative thread with great eye candy! I'd been wanting a moonstone for awhile and almost bought a couple kinda cruddy ones, but held out and recently scored a beaut from Barry.

 

[mochiko42]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks, everyone! Let's keep this thread going by posting pics and info~~

Mochiko, I blame you for my new obsession with moonstone. These photos are so drool worthy I couldn't resist purchasing a pair from Barry!

ricezo, those are gorgeous!! How do you plan to set them? And please share some handshots on this thread once you receive them!

 

[mochiko42]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Adding more links to information and photos about sunstone:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.197447/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.197447/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-this-oregon-sunstone.194826/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-on-this-oregon-sunstone.194826/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.199775/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.199775/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sunstone-questions.124328/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sunstone-questions.124328/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.27389/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone.27389/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone-from-precision-gem.114005/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone-from-precision-gem.114005/[/URL]


Eyecandy:
posted by Fi Z


endless_summer's gorgeous bicolor Oregon sunstone:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gorgeous-sunset-in-a-sunstone-another-jerry-beauty.197238/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gorgeous-sunset-in-a-sunstone-another-jerry-beauty.197238/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/9-8-bi-colored-sunstone-its-finally-set.198908/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/9-8-bi-colored-sunstone-its-finally-set.198908/[/URL]


redfairythinker's red Oregon sunstone


Fly Girl's Oregon sunstone. I love the schiller on this chubby cabbed pear! You can see her sunstone suite at [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone-jewelry.142584/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oregon-sunstone-jewelry.142584/[/URL]

 

[Siameseroo]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks Sparkleismyfavcolor &Mochiko! Can't wait for them to arrive! I'd love to set them into white or rose gold studs. Any advice would be much appreciated! Are there any dos and donts with setting moonstone?

PS that bicolour faceted sunstone is amazing!

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Ooh! Just remembered - perusing ebay antique jewelry, I found a pair of moonstone cufflinks. They were simple and elegant and I passed right by them as I have no use for cufflinks, but now I realize I should post them here! I'll see if I can find them and return with photos...

 

[T L]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks Sparkleismyfavcolor &Mochiko! Can't wait for them to arrive! I'd love to set them into white or rose gold studs. Any advice would be much appreciated! Are there any dos and donts with setting moonstone?

PS that bicolour faceted sunstone is amazing!

It's a softer stone, so I would be very careful who sets it. It also should not be put in an ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia based cleanser.

 

[Siameseroo]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks Sparkleismyfavcolor &Mochiko! Can't wait for them to arrive! I'd love to set them into white or rose gold studs. Any advice would be much appreciated! Are there any dos and donts with setting moonstone?

PS that bicolour faceted sunstone is amazing!

It's a softer stone, so I would be very careful who sets it. It also should not be put in an ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia based cleanser.

Thanks TL! I'll be very careful with the moonstones and who I ask to set them.

 

[mochiko42]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Updating this thread to consolidate and add a few new discussions and posts on moonstone

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/hi-my-trade-name-is-moonstone.211572/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/hi-my-trade-name-is-moonstone.211572/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/moonstone-in-rose-or-yellow-gold-bad-idea.209179/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/moonstone-in-rose-or-yellow-gold-bad-idea.209179/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/moonstone-help-please.221764/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/moonstone-help-please.221764/[/URL]

 

[mochiko42]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Also, adding my new rose cut moonstone ring.

 

[Siameseroo]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Gorgeous! Love the rose cut!

 

[arkieb1]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

I've got a bit of a "thing" for Labradorite this is a piece of what many vendors call "rainbow moonstone" and many of them sell high quality Labradorite as actual Moonstone. My piece, I would describe as a blue sheen piece of Labradorite (see photos 1 & 2), unlike true moonstone it's heavily included but beautiful none the less if you are into Labradorite like I am, however it's no contest when placed next to a piece of Sri Lankan blue Moonstone (see last photo);

 

[arkieb1]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

It was difficult to get them all in the correct spot to co-operate with the camera at once but from the top pic 1;
"Rainbow moonstone top" which is really a piece of what I would describe as blue sheen Labradorite
3 pieces of Sri Lankan Blue Moonstone Middle
Ordinary White Moonstone with a very slight hint of blue but is mostly white facing down the bottom

Pic 2, What they look like up in the air sitting on a clear perspex lid, White/Clear Moonstone top left, the included piece on the right is the Labradorite and the three blue Moonstones are at the bottom.

 

[Acinom]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks for sharing the comparison pics
I love that labradorite. Any plans setting it?

 

[arkieb1]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks for sharing the comparison pics
I love that labradorite. Any plans setting it?

No immediate plans. I should probably stop buying stuff and start setting some of the stones I own.

Mochiko - your new Rose cut moonstone ring is beautiful!!!

 

[hathalove]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

Thanks for sharing the comparison pics
I love that labradorite. Any plans setting it?

No immediate plans. I should probably stop buying stuff and start setting some of the stones I own.

Mochiko - your new Rose cut moonstone ring is beautiful!!!

Who's your vendor I love "rainbow moonstone" I thought it was suppose to be relatively inexpensive?

 

[Arcadian]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

*~*bump*~*

 

[Rfisher]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

love this thread!

here are my "moonstones".... got them on a whim 15+ years ago


here is a 2+ carat "rainbow moonstone" from TGT that I ended up not keeping. Liked the color, needles didn't bother me, but the cut bothered me.

 

[theredspinel]

Re: All about feldspar (moonstone, labradorite, sunstone, et

As I have been learning about moonstones in recent weeks, I have been very confused by the term "rainbow moonstone" and "blue [sheen] rainbow moonstone. After searching online, it seems that in the trade this term is used to indicate both high quality blue/rainbow moonstone (orthoclase) as well as to some labradorite that has a very similar appearance but is in fact a different type of feldspar.

I reached out to the Sally at Heart of Water, from whom I purchased my rainbow moonstone earrings, because I wanted clarification on what type of moonstones she calls "blue rainbow moonstones". (Note: she confirmed that her moonstones are orthoclase moonstones, not labradorite). She provided me with a helpful explanation that I wanted to share because I think it will be useful for other PSers who are also searching for moonstones.

I am reposting some of Sally's reply (with her consent):

" I see that moonstone is entering a phase, and I also see quartz with a lavender sheen being sold as lavender moonstone ... buyers beware! You are right that Labradorite and Blue Sheen Moonstone (also called Blue Sheen Rainbow Moonstone) are cousins, the 3rd cousin in this group being Sunstone. "Rainbow Moonstone" is a plagioclase feldspar (labradorite) while Blue Sheen Rainbow Moonstone is Orthoclase. Why did that happen, the name thing ... who knows?! They are actually fairly similar in composition, but moonstone contains potassium, and labradorite a mixture of calcium and sodium. A rainbow moonstone (labradorite) really looks so much like a blue sheen moonstone ... clear white body color with a blue or multicolored sheen. Hard to "see" the difference in very fine material that shows only blue; but if there are more hues present, it's evident that it's labradorite.

In the market, blue sheen rainbow moonstone is more expensive than rainbow moonstone (labradorite), in fine qualities. In commercial (included) qualities, they are around the same price per carat. Clean, unincluded material is rare, especially in larger sizes ... the price per carat skyrockets with size in clean gems."

In a follow-up email:
I hope I was clear that [in general,] lab and moonstone really look different. Just the fine quality, rainbow moonstone (lab family) can look so close to fine quality blue sheen moonstone. Also, one other thing, which is so interesting, is that there are actually 4 cousins here, the fourth being Amazonite! Which is so opaque, one would never guess it shares any qualities of the others. Also lesser known, which is why I didn't mention it [earlier].

More reading:

http://www.gia.edu/moonstone-description
http://www.jckonline.com/article/294337-Labradorite_s_Blue_Rainbow_Moonstone_.php
The following quote comes from this article: http://www.gemsociety.org/article/moonstone-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/

In general, the more transparent it is and the more blue its adularescence, the higher the value. Large quantities of near opaque material with various body colors is carved into simple "moon faces" and other figures which are available for pennies. Cabs of translucent material which are either white or with pleasing body color and adularescence are fairly common in the market and command relatively modest prices.For cat's eyes and the occasional star, expect to pay in proportion to the beauty of eye, size and clarity. In rare instances, the schiller phenomenon is multicolored showing blue, with green and/or orange. Such stones are quite valuable and are known as rainbow moonstone. Unfortunately, a lot of low grade, labradorite feldspar is advertised and sold by that name, (a misnomer,) so most people are surprised by the prices of the real gem grade rainbow stones.By far the most valuable moonstones are those which are colorless, transparent and have a strong blue sheen. Such stones historically came from Burma. Unfortunately this material is essentially mined out, so most top grade, blue sheen gems available today are being passed from one dealer, or collector, to another and prices are escalating.


***

I am still learning about moonstones, and about gems in general. This is very interesting reading for me

Hi mochiko

I'm really glad you posted Sally's explanation of it all. I wonder (other then sending to a lab) how is top quality blue sheen rainbow moonstone told apart from top quality labrodorite rainbow moonstone?

I'm just thinking of the labrodorite rainbow moonstone I have..to my very very untrained eyes it looks like the (orthoclase) rainbow moonstone you have in earrings from Sally?

 

[Bluegemz]

Great thread! I love moonstones! I have one bracelet with very blue sheen moonstones. My mother visited Sri Lanka this Spring and purchased two large, blue sheen ovals to make earrings from so that I finally will have a set to go with the bracelet. I haven't seen them yet though.
Here's my collection of feldspars: taken with both flash and no flash because my bedroom is very shaded.
First, a golden/white, tiny moonstone, 18k necklace.
Next, an antique moonstone and sapphire bracelet. Originally, there were opals in this bracelet, but they were very cracked and were replaced with these.
Next a blue moonstone briolet, 18k, prehnite, and aquamarine necklace. This one reminds me of a spring time mossy forest with mist.
Then a labradorite nexklace with two gold and silver beads. I get so many compliments on this simple necklace!
Finally, moonstone a lite feldspar bangles.

 

[Bluegemz]

Forgot to add this 24k ring with a very simple, checkerboard moonstone in it. I feel that the gold commands the ring instead of the stone. I always think of this as an oasis in the dessert.

 

[Bluegemz]

I think moonstones and feldspars are just beautiful in the less expensive forms as well. Thankfully there is beauty at all price points! I recently purchased some lovely peach moonstone beads, and a suite of grey moonstone earrings, pendant and ring