Colors
- White or colorless with a soft blue sheen (most common)
- Rainbow, with flashes of blue and other colors
- Peach and gray
Browse other gems by color: White and colorless · Blue
Moonstone meaning and history
Ancient cultures believed moonlight formed the stone.
Art Nouveau designers brought moonstone back into fashion.
Meanings and powers attributed to gems are history and folklore. We report them; we do not claim a stone can do anything.
How hard is Moonstone?
Moonstone is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, where talc is 1, quartz 7 and diamond 10. Toughness, its resistance to chipping and breaking: poor. It has two cleavage directions, so a hard blow can break it; it is usually set in pendants, earrings and pins rather than rings.
See every birthstone on the hardness chart
How to clean and care for Moonstone
| Warm soapy water | The only recommended method |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Never |
| Steam cleaner | Never |
Heat, light and chemicals: Stable to light; high heat or sudden temperature change can cause breaks; harmed by hydrofluoric acid.
Can you wear Moonstone every day?
Delicate Soft or easily damaged. Best for pendants, earrings and occasional wear. Check other stones.
Compare Moonstone
Pearl vs Moonstone · Alexandrite vs Moonstone · Opal vs Moonstone
Frequently asked questions
What is Moonstone?
A feldspar gem known for adularescence, a floating glow that moves as you turn it.
What month is Moonstone the birthstone for?
June. It shares the month with Pearl and Alexandrite.
How hard is Moonstone?
6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Toughness: poor. It has two cleavage directions, so a hard blow can break it; it is usually set in pendants, earrings and pins rather than rings.
How do you clean Moonstone?
Warm soapy water: the only recommended method. Ultrasonic cleaner: never. Steam: never.
What does Moonstone symbolize?
Ancient cultures believed moonlight formed the stone. Art Nouveau designers brought moonstone back into fashion. These are traditions and history, not claims about what the stone can do.
Sources
- GIA: Moonstone care and cleaning (hardness, toughness, stability, cleaning, treatments)
- AGS: Moonstone (what it is, colors, sources, history)
- American Gem Society: Birthstones (birthstone months)
Checked October 16, 2026.