Our Moonstone: Hecatolite and Perthite
Unique, Beautiful and Rare
Why does our moonstone look different?
Moonstone can be very tricky to understand. The most widely known is the clear grey or bluish adularia. But we have been very lucky to trek into nature and find a unique mixture of minerals that provide us with stunningly varied forms of moonstone. With this being said, rock classification can be tricky as our rock falls into many overlaps. Our moonstone can typically fall into two types of main classifications: Albite and Orthoclase Moonstone.
Wikipedia says that: " Moonstone is composed of two feldspar species, orthoclase and albite. The two species are intermingled. Then, as the newly formed mineral cools, the intergrowth of orthoclase and albite separates into stacked, alternating layers. When light falls through these thin, flat layers, it scatters in many directions producing the phenomenon called adularescence."
According to The Dictionary of Gems and Gemology (Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2005), Hecatolite is another name for albite moonstone and orthoclase feldspar. Our Albite moonstone is wonderfully translucent with quartz crystals and garnet accents. We find it in olive/sage green, gold, brown with silvery or gold hues and can flash rainbow and blue creating stunning visual effects.
Perthite is described in Wikipedia as an intergrowth of orthoclase, microcline and albite, with irregular often wavy patterns. The gem varieties of potassium feldspar, amazonite and moonstone are variant colored perthites. Our orthoclase is mixed with Microcline, which can give it a blue green color, as well as gold or pink. We also work with Amazonite which is primarily Microcline.
Tectonic and volcanic action caused a mixture of orthoclase and plagioclase feldspars. Feldspar is a fairly common rock in the Earth's crust, but what makes our stones unique is that they have been mixed with the rock group serpentine. This brings new minerals that give our moonstone even more beautiful colors and visual effects. Another addition that adds to our stones' beauty is the presence of sunstone, which sometimes shows as a peachy pink glitter as it moves in the light.
So enough of the technical moonstone information. We find wonderful stones in their natural surroundings that exhibit gorgeous optical beauty. Every stone is different and every cut within the stone creates a one of a kind gem. We love the natural characteristics of these stones and strive to show off their uniqueness in the best possible way, accented with our own artistic flair. That's why we give our pieces unique names and we know you will love them too.
One can't know the full beauty of these stones unless they are taken to the light to see how the light plays in it and brings it to life. That's why we have taken short videos of our pendants to show the magic of these unique, beautiful and rare stones.
It is said that woodland gnomes collect certain stones that shine in the moonlight. They are placed around their homes to lend their shimmery light in the darkness. These moonstones, and their glow serve as a reminder that a new day is coming, full of new beginnings.
Moonstone Pendants
Spirit Fingers
Whimsical! Glimmering golden peach shimmering moonstone has "spirit fingers" in the form of a sun, moon and two stars. This lighthearted pendant measures 2" high and 1.5" wide and is wrapped in sterling silver.
Price........ $28.00
Silver Moon Sonata
Impressive sage colored Albite Moonstone gives a silvery shimmer in light. Measures 2" high and is 3/4" wide and is wrapped in sterling silver. You can see a short video of this stone's shimmer.
Price....... $28.00
Golden Olive Moon
Luminous! This Golden Olive Albite Moonstone gives a golden shimmer in the light. This gorgeous piece measures 2 1/2" high and is an 1 1/4" wide and is wrapped in sterling silver.
Price......... $28.00
Cobblestone Glimmer
A delightful dance of light is the visual effect in this cooblestone patterned stone. Pendant measures 2 1/4" high and is one inch wide and is wrapped in pure sterling silver. It is a one of a kind piece. You can see a short video of this pendant, and it's sheen.
Price........... $28.00
Metamorphic Moon
A stone the shape of a butterfly chrysalis is accented by a small butterfly at the top. A unique mixture of Amazonite and Orthoclase Moonstone, the beautiful gold-green hue has a lovely shimmer in the light. This pendant measures 2 1/2" high and is one inch wide and is wrapped with sterling silver wire.
Price.......... $28.00
Click the Pics
for larger view
Unique, Beautiful and Rare
Found in nature and worked entirely from rough rock by artist Joanne Boyle.
Click the Pics
for larger view
