Moonstone · FAQ
Moonstone: Every Question, Answered
The complete question set from moonstone buyers — buying, pricing, certification, and origins in one place.
Is the glow inside a moonstone a treatment?
No — it's called adularescence, a natural structural effect caused by microscopic layering within the feldspar itself. It can't be added, enhanced, or faked through any chemical or heat treatment.
Why is moonstone usually cut as a smooth dome rather than faceted?
A well-domed cabochon cut shows off the floating adularescent sheen far better than facets would, which is why moonstone is almost always cut this way rather than faceted like transparent gemstones.
What makes one moonstone so much more valuable than another?
The strength, color, and mobility of its sheen — a vivid blue sheen that clearly floats and moves as the stone turns is worth considerably more than a weak, static, or grayish sheen, more than size or clarity alone.
What should a moonstone certificate confirm?
That the stone is genuine natural feldspar moonstone rather than a glass or plastic imitation designed to mimic its sheen, since the adularescence effect itself isn't something a lab needs to grade as a treatment.
Is Ceylon moonstone always better than Indian moonstone?
Ceylon is the traditional benchmark for vivid blue sheen specifically, but Indian moonstone can show attractive, sometimes more colorful sheen — the right choice depends on which look you prefer rather than one origin being universally superior.
Does EmeraldVault sell moonstone directly?
Yes — browse certified moonstone listings directly in our catalog, sourced through our verified dealer network. If you don't see the exact stone you need, contact us and we'll help.
Dig deeper
Each topic above has a full Moonstone guide: buying, pricing, and certification, plus origin pages for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Moonstone and India Moonstone — or start from the Moonstone overview. Site-wide questions are covered on the main FAQ page.
Still Have a Question?
Ask us directly, or browse certified moonstone already in our catalog.