Welcome to the Irit Sorokin Design blog! In this space you can look forward to learning about my jewelry making process, my inspirations and some of the materials I use in my handmade jewelry, created in Vancouver, Canada. I often use natural gems and metals in my work and love sharing about the meaning of those gems and the individual journey that goes into each handmade piece of jewelry. 

About Moonstone

The second birthstone of June is the shimmering, celestial moonstone. It is the gemstone associated with the third wedding anniversary. The moon-like opalescence of this gemstone is what gives it its lunar name. Some believe the stone itself to be made of moonbeams. 

Physical Properties: Moonstones are made of a kind of stone called silicate, and consist of aluminum, sodium, and potassium. Their particular pearly shimmer is called adularescence. When polished, streaks of luminosity will appear throughout the stone. 

Healing and Meaning: Given the lunar connection of this stone, it is believed to be particularly powerful during a full moon. The spiritual connection between the stone and the moon also ties moonstone to healing feminine energies, and may help with fertility and childbirth.  Overall, the moonstone is thought to bring good fortune, as well as soothe hot tempers. It is also believed that moonstone can help to bring emotions back into balance. 

History of Moonstone

The Ancient Romans believed moonstones to be actual solidified pieces of moonlight, and used the stones in many jewelry designs. The Romans associated moonstone with their lunar deities, in particular, Diana, the goddess of the moon. 

In India, moonstones were thought to bring beautiful dreams to the wearer. They were also associated with love and fertility, which is why they were given as wedding gifts. It was thought that if two people both wearing moonstone met each other, they would fall madly in love at first sight. 

Famous Moonstones

In terms of fashion, moonstone rose to particular prominence during the Art Nouveau era of the early 1900’s. French jeweler and medallist, René Lalique, featured moonstones in a number of his highly sought after pieces. 

Moonstone is the state gemstone of Florida as it commemorates the launching of Apollo 11 from Florida, the spacecraft which first took man on the moon itself. 

Style Tips for Moonstone Jewelry

Moonstones are newly popular as an engagement ring gemstone, although they have been tied to love and marriage dating back centuries. Like a diamond, the moonstone is simultaneously eye-catching and neutral.

Moonstone is a good choice for a piece of jewelry, like an engagement ring, that will be worn every day. In general, the cool pearly tones of a moonstone look stunning when set in celestial silver but also are warmed by a gold setting as well. 

Care and Cleaning for Moonstone

While considered a fairly hard gemstone, moonstone can be vulnerable to breakage because of what is called cleavage. Because of the layers and planes within the stone, fractures can take place.

There are often unique and beautiful jewelry made with Moonstone in my online store, it is a beautiful and classic to create handmade jewelry with. Shop all Moonstone pieces in my online store and get your very own moonstone jewelry shipped right to your door.