Moonstones KAISi3O8 Silicate Group, subgroup Feldspar

Physical feature

1. Color- Colorless, yellow, with a sheen of blue or pink.

2. Streak- White.

3. Luster- Vitreous to silky.

4. Cleavage- Perfect.

5. Transparency- Semi-Transparent.

6. Fracture- Uneven to conchoidal.

7. Hardness- 6 to 6.5.

8. Forms- Are very massive.

Feldspar's are minerals which cover almost two thirds of all the rocks on the earth. They are made up of aluminum silicates. Moonstone is one of many gemstone variety that belongs to the feldspar family. Moonstone is a translucent orthoclase which diffracts reflected light, this is how the moonstone gives off a mysterious shimmer of light. Granite is highly rich in feldspar. The occurrences of moonstone happen in pegmatites. As residual liquids cool from magma (lava) igneous rocks form producing an ideal growing environments. Beaches also have ideal conditions for moonstones occurrences, due to their high specific gravity and resistance to weather. I personally have found many moonstones along freshwater beaches. Although India is know for their moonstones, occurrences happen all over the world.