Let me know more about Moonstone

[Double E]

Randomly took a quick look at the display window of a local "crystal" shop, got quite impressed by some small moonstone jewelry pieces. Particularly board and strong colored schiller on some of them really caught my eyes.

I forgot to take pics. Yet this made me curious on how we categorize their types and quality level? And also what prices are considered reasonable?

 

[Double E]

I think I do know something about moonstone. That they are brittle, with clear clevage. Moonstones are said to be of different types with various colour play: Blue sheen and rainbow schiller seem to be the most sought after from what I've read on the Internet. But is that schiller effect of internet pics like below a reasonable expectation for a buyer? Or what should top stones look like?

 

[T L]

You should only purchase moonstone loose or with open backs, if in jewelry. They’re often backed with blue paper or foil to make them look blue.

It’s a beautiful gem. I particularly love the pieces by designer Raymond Yard

 

[nienna]

I think I learned most of what I know about moonstone from this website in this thread, lol —> https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ar-moonstone-labradorite-sunstone-etc.208567/ Maybe you will find it useful too. Would also love to know what other info other people know!

 

[yssie]

I think I do know something about moonstone. That they are brittle, with clear clevage. Moonstones are said to be of different types with various colour play: Blue sheen and rainbow schiller seem to be the most sought after from what I've read on the Internet. But is that schiller effect of internet pics like below a reasonable expectation for a buyer? Or what should top stones look like?

Those pics look very colour-edited to me. The shadow of the fingers is flat out blue in the first two photos - someone had fun with photoshop!

 

[icy_jade]

Strong blue adularescence but stone looks crystal clear and not cloudy and with no inclusions would be top quality.

 

[T L]

Strong blue adularescence but stone looks crystal clear and not cloudy and with no inclusions would be top quality.

A high dome is preferable as well.

 

[Starstruck8]

A high dome is preferable as well.

But not too high. With a higher dome, the schiller can be seen from a wider range of angles (good), but the schiller patches are smaller (not so good). Goldilocks, as usual.

Those pics look very colour-edited to me. The shadow of the fingers is flat out blue in the first two photos - someone had fun with photoshop!

The saturation is no doubt amped up. But the blue shadows may well be caused by the lighting - yellower main light and bluer ambient light. In any case, it can be hard to photograph moonstone without some serious adjusting. If you expose for the skin, the schiller (which can be 'brighter than white') may be burnt out. If you expose for the schiller, the skin will be too dark. In these pics, parts of the schiller are burnt out.

The pics below illustrate these points. You can't capture the brightness and the colour. This schiller of this stone is bright but not very blue. Purer, more ethereal blue would be more desirable. The dark patch at the right of the stone is caused by skin contact reducing reflection.

 

[Cinders]

I'd like to know of a trustworthy source for moonstone. Count me in as a curious admirer.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I am a fan, too, but never see any top ones to buy. Following

 

[Double E]

You should only purchase moonstone loose or with open backs, if in jewelry. They’re often backed with blue paper or foil to make them look blue.

It’s a beautiful gem. I particularly love the pieces by designer Raymond Yard

Thanks for the tips, especially those tricks to make bluer moonstones.

 

[Double E]

I think I learned most of what I know about moonstone from this website in this thread, lol —> https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ar-moonstone-labradorite-sunstone-etc.208567/ Maybe you will find it useful too. Would also love to know what other info other people know!

Appreciated. I’ve been reading those threads!

 

[Double E]

Those pics look very colour-edited to me. The shadow of the fingers is flat out blue in the first two photos - someone had fun with photoshop!

Definitely... being in PS for some time, I learnt to be afraid of pics looking too good. But I did expect those photos not to be accurate representation of even top moonstones. Really looking for realistic expectations.

 

[Double E]

Strong blue adularescence but stone looks crystal clear and not cloudy and with no inclusions would be top quality.

Thx! Very precise directions!

 

[Double E]

A high dome is preferable as well.

I don’t usually like cabs, but the dynamic blue adularescence is just not like many other gems.

 

[Double E]

I am a fan, too, but never see any top ones to buy. Following

I believe what I saw from that local B&M shop is also not top notch stones, considering shops selling mostly lower priced crystals or cut stones with that kind of scale in HK usually don’t offer top level gems (my impression though).

However, it did look “good”. It’s under spot light nonetheless, not sure how this affect moonstone performance. I just think it’s a relatively cost friendly yet very nice looking gems.

I did wonder how top ones look like.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I took a video of my collection . 1 faceted; the rest are cabs. Someone ?(@VividRed ?) has a gorgeous one I covet. Three of mine have blue adularescence but weaker than that I’d prefer. Not trying to thread Jack, OP. Just a topic of interest. Sorry and if you’d rather I start a new thread, I will.

 

[T L]

There's a dealer at Intergem shows if you ever attend. I got this one there. It's blue, as shown near my Nigerian aqua. I'm sorry, but I forget the name of the dealer, but if you go, you might find him. It's from Sri Lanka, and very clean. Some have a more violet or purple sheen too. Natural and artificial light photos. High dome, but I get what some are saying about a dome being too high.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

There's a dealer at Intergem shows if you ever attend. I got this one there. It's blue, as shown near my Nigerian aqua. I'm sorry, but I forget the name of the dealer, but if you go, you might find him. It's from Sri Lanka, and very clean. Some have a more violet or purple sheen too. Natural and artificial light photos. High dome, but I get what some are saying about a dome being too high.

That’s what I dream of….

 

[Double E]

I took a video of my collection . 1 faceted; the rest are cabs. Someone ?(@VividRed ?) has a gorgeous one I covet. Three of mine have blue adularescence but weaker than that I’d prefer. Not trying to thread Jack, OP. Just a topic of interest. Sorry and if you’d rather I start a new thread, I will.

Thanks very much for posting and letting me know your pieces That’s very helpful for my learning.

I don’t see much , or May be never seen any top moonstones. I do however prefer cabs to faceted, as I think cabs show it’s strength or character better.

This is my inspiration. Very minimal looks like a water drop hanging on the chain with soft yet very beautiful glow.


I am not buying anytime soon though. But got time to learn.

 

[Double E]

There's a dealer at Intergem shows if you ever attend. I got this one there. It's blue, as shown near my Nigerian aqua. I'm sorry, but I forget the name of the dealer, but if you go, you might find him. It's from Sri Lanka, and very clean. Some have a more violet or purple sheen too. Natural and artificial light photos. High dome, but I get what some are saying about a dome being too high.

Looks like very high quality in the photo. Does it match irl? Is the blue sheen obvious?

 

[T L]

Looks like very high quality in the photo. Does it match irl? Is the blue sheen obvious?

Yes, it’s obviously blue. This one is also crystal clear, and very blue. It just doesn’t have as high a dome. Siri Lankan.