Everything There Is to Know About Moonstone (Paperback)

Paperback. Everything There Is to Know About MoonstoneDiscover the complete world of moonstone-from adularescence and feldspar mineralogy to identification, varieties, value, collecting, jewelry, history, and care.Everything There Is to Know About Moonstone by Hans J Steinberg is a comprehensive guide to one of the world's most recognizable phenomenal gemstones. Known for its mysterious floating glow, moonstone has fascinated collectors, jewelers, gemologists, historians, and gemstone enthusiasts for generations.But what actually causes moonstone's famous adularescence? What is the difference between blue moonstone, white moonstone, peach moonstone, cat's-eye moonstone, star moonstone, and rainbow moonstone? Is rainbow moonstone really moonstone? How can you identify genuine moonstone, recognize imitations, and understand what makes one stone far more valuable than another?This accessible reference explores moonstone from both a scientific and practical perspective, combining gemology, mineralogy, geology, history, gemstone identification, grading, collecting, lapidary work, jewelry, and buying advice in one complete guide.Inside, you'll discover: What moonstone is and how it fits within the feldspar mineral groupHow orthoclase, albite, labradorite, and related feldspars differHow moonstone forms through crystallization, cooling, exsolution, pegmatitic processes, weathering, and secondary depositsThe science behind adularescence, blue sheen, white sheen, cat's-eye effects, stars, and other optical phenomenaThe differences between colorless, blue, white, peach, orange, yellow, gray, brown, and rainbow moonstoneFamous moonstone sources in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Madagascar, Tanzania, Brazil, the United States, and beyondMoonstone's role in ancient traditions, South Asian culture, European jewelry, Art Nouveau, and modern gemstone designThe truth behind moonstone folklore involving the moon, love, fertility, intuition, protection, travel, and spiritual symbolismHow to distinguish natural moonstone, treated stones, synthetic substitutes, glass, opalite, quartz, chalcedony, and other imitationsWhy commercial rainbow moonstone is generally labradorite, not traditional orthoclase moonstoneHow gemologists test moonstone using refractive index, specific gravity, microscopy, polarization, spectroscopy, and other methodsHow to evaluate adularescence, transparency, body color, clarity, sheen position, cut, size, origin, and rarityWhy fine transparent blue-sheen moonstone can command substantial premiumsHow moonstone is cut, oriented, polished, carved, faceted, and shaped into cabochons, beads, and jewelryWhat buyers and collectors should know about laboratory reports, provenance, locality claims, antique moonstone jewelry, auctions, scams, and investment risksHow to properly clean, store, wear, repair, and preserve moonstone jewelryWhether you're researching your first moonstone purchase, studying gemstone identification, building a mineral or jewelry collection, exploring rainbow moonstone, or simply fascinated by gemstones with unusual optical effects, Everything There Is to Know About Moonstone provides a practical foundation for understanding this remarkable gem.Learn how to identify real moonstone, understand adularescence, compare moonstone varieties, recognize imitations, evaluate quality and value, and buy with greater confidence.An essential reference for moonstone collectors, gemstone enthusiasts, jewelry buyers, gemology students, lapidaries, mineral collector Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. …