Set on a black metal stand, this rainbow moonstone is pale and whitish, and when the light strikes it at the right angle, a bluish glow runs across it. Stand included, it measures about 13 × 4.5 cm. From India.
Strictly speaking, a labradorite
Mineralogists class rainbow moonstone as a white variety of labradorite, though in everyday speech it is called moonstone. Inside are thin layers that reflect the light, which is why the blue flash shows only from certain angles. Labradorite itself is named after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, where it was first described.
Turning it under a lamp
Put the specimen under a desk lamp and turn the stand slowly. You will find the position where the glow is strongest, and you can set it so that this side faces the room. In soft, overcast light the glow barely shows; under a directed lamp, such as a reading light, it comes out much better.
The stone of new beginnings
Tradition ties it to the Moon and calls it the stone of new beginnings. If you would like a token in front of you at the start of a new job, a move or a new year, it suits a desk or a bedside table. Moonstone is one of the June birthstones, so it also makes a good present for a June birthday.
Shape, size and the strength of the glow differ from piece to piece, and on some the blue is fainter than in the photo. You receive one specimen with its stand. Moonstone is softer than quartz, so store it separately and wipe it only with a soft, dry cloth.