Moonstone Celtic Jewelry

Once you’ve seen a moonstone, it’s easy to understand how it came by such a name. These stones seem to shine with an inner luminosity. Moonstone has been associated with the moon for thousands of years. Some societies believed that moonstones were actually pieces of solidified moonlight, and contained special qualities related to moon deities. It was popular in jewelry and ornamentation during the Art Deco period and is still popular today for its beauty and affordability.

What is Moonstone?

Scientifically, moonstone is an orthoclase feldspar. Its distinctive sheen is created by light scattering through the stone’s alternating mineral layers. Thin layers create a blue sheen, while thick layers produce a milky white glow. Moonstones can be clear or cloudy and can come in a range of colors including white, blue, yellow, and gray. Clear blue stones from Sri Lanka and southern India are highly prized due to their rarity.

Moonlight in Your Hand

People have been fascinated by moonstones since ancient times. In both ancient Rome and India, people believed moonstones were pieces of frozen moonlight. They were supposedly affected by the moon’s cycle, just like the ocean tides, and were connected to the lunar deities. Romans believed that if you looked into a moonstone, you might catch a glimpse of the moon goddess Diana, and the Hindu moon god Chandra was described with a crescent moonstone on his head. This stone would brighten and dim with the moon’s cycles. 

As other cultures – including the Celts – came into contact with Rome and India, they too discovered the magical beauty of moonstones.

Moonstone Magic

The moonstone is symbolic of many things – especially things associated with the moon or its influences. Lunar deities are often associated with cyclical change (including the tides, seasons, and phases of the moon), magic, protection, and balance. Travelers would carry moonstones to protect them on journeys, especially if traveling at night or over water. 

Moonstone is a stone of love and fertility in many cultures. In India, it was a traditional wedding gift, and Middle Eastern women were said to sew moonstones into their garments to promote fertility. Ancient Romans believed that you could foretell your romantic future if you placed a moonstone in your mouth during a full moon. In some cultures, moonstones were planted in fields on nights of the full moon to encourage a bountiful harvest. Some people believe that moonstone helps with sleep, enhances creativity and intuition, and promotes clear dreams and emotional balance.

Celtic Moonstone Jewelry