About Moonstone (Chandrakant Mani)

Moonstone is the gem-quality variety of orthoclase or adularia feldspar, rating 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale — softer than Sapphire or Ruby, so it needs a little more care in daily wear.

Also Known As

Chandrakant Mani in Hindi, meaning 'stone loved by the Moon' — a name that reflects both its glow and its planetary association.

Unique Facts

• Moonstone's signature glow is called adularescence, caused by light scattering across thin, alternating layers of two feldspar minerals within the stone — an optical effect unrelated to its colour.
• The finest Moonstone shows a floating blue sheen against a colourless body, a look historically linked to Sri Lanka's Meetiyagoda mines and considered the benchmark for quality worldwide.
• Moonstone is one of the softer gemstones on the Navratna-adjacent list, which is why Vedic tradition treats it as a gentler, emotionally soothing counterpart to the more powerful Pearl, rather than a like-for-like replacement.

Origin & Sources of Moonstone

Sri Lanka

The most prized source, particularly the historic Meetiyagoda mines, known for colourless bodies and a vivid, floating blue sheen — the global benchmark for fine Moonstone.

India

A major and reliable source of well-cut, accessible Moonstone, typically showing a warmer white-to-grey sheen.

Benefits of Wearing Moonstone

Emotional Balance

As Chandra's (the Moon's) gentler gemstone, Moonstone is traditionally worn to soothe emotional turbulence, ease anxiety and restore a sense of inner calm.

Intuition & Mental Clarity

Natural Moonstone is believed to enhance intuition and support clearer thinking, particularly for those with an unsettled or underpowered Moon in their birth chart.

A Softer Alternative to Pearl

While Pearl offers a direct, strong activation of the Moon, Moonstone is considered a softer expression of the same influence — commonly recommended for those seeking gentle emotional support rather than an intense planetary remedy.

Healing & Wellness

Moonstone is a popular healing crystal, traditionally associated with restful sleep and hormonal balance.

Who Should Wear Moonstone

By Zodiac Sign (Rashi)

Most beneficial for Cancer (Karka) moon signs, the zodiac sign ruled by the Moon; also widely worn by other signs seeking gentle emotional balance.

By Planetary Position

Recommended for those with a weak, afflicted or underpowered Moon in their horoscope, or running a Moon Mahadasha or Antardasha, especially where Pearl feels too intense to begin with.

Wear as Your Birthstone

Moonstone is recognised as an alternative June birthstone, sharing the month with Pearl, and is valued for its soft glow and gentle symbolism.

Moonstone Quality

Sheen (Adularescence)

A strong, evenly spread blue sheen floating across the dome is most prized; white, grey or absent sheen is lower quality.

Body Colour

Colourless to white bodies are most valued, especially when paired with a vivid blue flash; grey, peach and brown bodies are more affordable.

Transparency

Avoid stones that look cloudy, dull, or carry visible surface cracks and dark inclusions; cleaner, more transparent stones allow the sheen to glow more clearly and are valued higher than cloudy or opaque stones.

Cut

Always cut as a smooth, well-proportioned cabochon (never faceted) — an evenly rounded dome brings out a stronger, better-centred sheen and an overall better appearance.

Carat / Ratti Weight

Vedic astrology typically recommends Moonstone in Ratti (1 Ratti = 0.91 carat), commonly 5 to 9 Ratti (approx. 4.5–8.2 carats), depending on horoscope and body weight.

Price of Moonstone in India

Price depends primarily on origin, sheen quality and transparency. Natural Moonstone in India typically starts from ₹300 per carat for commercial quality, and can reach ₹5,000+ per carat for fine Sri Lankan stones with a vivid, floating blue sheen.

Buying Guide — Authenticity & Certification

What to Watch For

Genuine Moonstone is not commonly heat-treated, but coated or dyed imitations, along with glass and synthetic 'moonstone glass', are sometimes sold as the real thing. Only Natural Gemstones does not sell coated, dyed, or glass imitations as Moonstone — every stone is 100% natural, with lab certification to prove it.

Common Substitutes

Moonstone is occasionally confused with opalite (a man-made glass) or synthetic imitations that mimic its sheen artificially — these lack Moonstone's natural feldspar structure and true adularescence.

Why Certification Matters

A gemological lab report confirms the stone is natural feldspar (Moonstone), verifying authenticity before it is worn as a Moon remedy.

Why Only Natural Gemstones

• Lifetime guarantee of authenticity on every gemstone we sell.
• Certified by the most trusted gemological laboratories, with reports you can verify online using the certificate number, before or after purchase.
• 100% natural, unheated and untreated gemstones only — never lab-grown, dyed or synthetically enhanced.
• Expert guidance from our in-house Astro Gem Experts to help you choose the right gemstone for your horoscope and budget.
• Customisation available — get your gemstone set in a ring or pendant of your choice, including a traditional open-back setting.
• Every gemstone is energised and activated through Vedic rituals before dispatch, so it is ready to deliver maximum benefit from the day it reaches you.

How to Wear Moonstone — Vedic Method

Metal

Set in silver, consistent with other Moon gemstones.

Finger

Worn on the little finger of the right hand.

Setting

An open-back setting is recommended so the stone touches the skin directly for maximum benefit.

Day & Time

Ideally worn on a Monday morning, during Shukla Paksha.

Purification Ritual

Purify by soaking in raw milk and clean water with Tulsi leaves, then chant the Moon mantra — 'Om Chandraya Namah' — 108 times before wearing.

Recommended Weight

Commonly 5 to 9 Ratti (approx. 4.5–8.2 carats), though exact weight should be determined by horoscope and body weight, ideally under astrological guidance.

Trial Period

A short trial period of a few days to a few weeks is recommended, especially for those considering Moonstone as a gentler starting point before Pearl.

Customisation

Get your gemstone customised into a ring or pendant of your choice at Only Natural Gemstones, complete with a traditional open-back setting for maximum skin contact.

Energisation

Every gemstone from Only Natural Gemstones is energised and activated through traditional Vedic rituals before it reaches you, so it is ready to wear and deliver benefits from day one.

Moonstone After Care — Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning

Clean gently with mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft brush; pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

What to Avoid

Keep away from harsh chemicals, perfumes, ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes, which can cause fracturing given Moonstone's layered structure. Remove your ring before swimming, exercising or household cleaning.

Storage

Store separately from harder gemstones in a soft pouch or fabric-lined box to prevent scratches, since Moonstone is softer than most other gemstones.

Re-energising

As per Vedic tradition, periodically re-energise your Moonstone by chanting the Moon mantra, especially after deep cleaning or extended periods of non-wear.

Moonstone - FAQs