History and lore about moonstone

Moonstone is an antique accessory and amulet. Romans thought moonbeams produced it because of their beauty. Greeks and Romans identified this June birthstone with moon deities — goddess Luna in Rome and goddesses Artemis, Selene, and Hecate in Greece. Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist and philosopher said the moonstone's glimmer changed with the moon's phases. This notion survived the 1600s. In India, gazing at a moonstone at a full moon was thought to reveal the future. People believed this gemstone brought riches and love.

 Moonstone entered fine jewelry throughout history but didn't become renowned until the early 1900s. Early Art Nouveau jewelry included moonstones. Moonstone was extremely popular with Arts and Crafts craftspeople, who employed it in silverwork. During the 1960s 'flower-child' trend, moonstone was popular for its ethereal beauty. Later, New Age designers were inspired by moonstone's raw beauty. This beautiful gemstone is the June birthstone and the Florida state gem. This was to honor 1969 moonwalkers. Florida doesn't mine moonstones. 


Lore

  • June birthstone.

  • Cancer's gem.

  • Moonstone is connected with goddesses, particularly Moon deities.

  • Ancient Romans thought the moon-shaped stone was generated by moonlight.

  • The gem's sensual depths appear to hold the moon's light.

  • In the Orient, people thought Moonstones were crystallized beams of moonlight that housed a pleasant spirit.

  • Moonstone amulets were used to assure plentiful harvests.

  • In Asia and Europe, the stone was worn to attract a devoted partner.

  • According to legend, you may glimpse the future by holding a moonstone in your mouth beneath a full moon.

  • Ancients utilized this stone to treat sleeplessness.

  • Moonstone's connection to water is thought to safeguard sailors.

  • Moonstone was often thought to protect nighttime travelers, particularly during the New Moon phases.

  • Protects against lunacy, epilepsy, and mental wandering.

  • Ancient Greeks named moonstone "Aphroselene" after Aphrodite and Selene (moon).

  • Hindus believed moonstones were earthbound moonbeams.

  • Indians think this delicate, subtle gemstone will spark gentle affection and cherish it as holy.

  • In the Middle Ages, Europeans looked to moonstones to dream prophetically.

  • In India, the moonstone is a revered stone that may induce magical dreams and visions.

  • European folklore believes they will fall in love when the moon is high and someone is wearing a moonstone.

  • Moonstone is aphrodisiac in certain cultures.

  • Moonstone appears in several werewolf mythologies. The stone's abilities reportedly help werewolves shift or change.

  • In ancient tradition, the moonstone was a winter talisman and an Oriental Monday "phenomenal jewel."