Moonstone is a feldspar famous for adularescence — a floating blue or white glow that drifts across the stone. The finest show a vivid blue sheen on a transparent body.
Moonstone value is led by the quality of its adularescence (the sheen) and the transparency of the body.
A vivid blue sheen floating over a colorless, transparent body — the classic Sri Lankan ideal and the most valuable.
Actually a labradorite, showing multicolor flashes; abundant and affordable, very popular in jewelry.
Some cabochons show a chatoyant eye or a four-rayed star — collectible optical effects.
Six main criteria determine the price per carat. It is their combination that sets the final value.
The key is the adularescence: a strong, vivid blue sheen on a colorless transparent body is most valuable; white or weak sheen is common and cheap.
Sri Lanka produces the finest blue moonstone; India supplies abundant rainbow and white material.
Moonstone is generally untreated; beware of foil-backed or composite imitations.
A clean, transparent body that lets the sheen float is most prized; cloudiness reduces value.
Larger stones with strong sheen are scarce and rise in price; small commercial cabochons stay cheap.
A report from a recognized lab (GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, GRS, AGL) confirms identity, origin and treatment, securing the valuation and resale.
Adularescence — the soft light that seems to roll across the stone — defines moonstone; a vivid blue sheen is the ideal.
The most valuable stones combine that blue glow with a clear, transparent body.
Classic blue moonstone is orthoclase feldspar; "rainbow moonstone" is actually labradorite with colorful flashes.
Both are lovely, but fine blue moonstone is rarer and more valuable than abundant rainbow material.
Geographic origin can be a strong prestige marker that weighs on value.
The finest blue moonstone with strong adularescence.
High for blueAbundant rainbow and white moonstone.
AccessibleFine transparent moonstone.
Mid priceRainbow moonstone (labradorite).
AccessibleSome fine material.
AccessibleMinor feldspar sources.
CollectorIllustrative price index (2010 = 100) for fine, certified stones.
Moonstone is mostly an affordable jewelry stone, but fine blue Sri Lankan material has firmed as it becomes scarcer.
Strong blue sheen on a clear body is the key to value.
Illustrative figures for fine, certified stones — not financial advice.
Orders of magnitude for a moonstone cabochon — fine blue Sri Lankan stones sit at the top.
Indicative estimates — they do not replace a laboratory appraisal.
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