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Orthoclase Moonstone [G2104]
GeoFacts
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Photograph of a round carved moonstone (G2104) from the National Gem Collection being held between two fingers Photo by Chip Clark |
Hover over color tiles above to learn what this object tells us about the history of the Earth
| Catalog # | Mineral | Country | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2104 | Orthoclase (Feldspar family) | Sri Lanka | 50.77 ct | More info » |
| Moonstone |
About this object
The minerals in the feldspar family make up more than half of the Earth’s rocky crust. Occasionally these common minerals form crystals that shimmer like the light of the moon or a rainbow on a soap bubble. Called iridescence, this phenomenon is caused by light scattering, or diffracting, off closely spaced layers in the feldspar crystals. The gems cut from these iridescent crystals are called moonstone, sunstone, and labradorite. This delicately carved 50.77 carat moonstone is from Sri Lanka. Moonstone is the most highly prized of the feldspar gems and is valued for its beautiful blue sheen, called adularescence.
Images of this specimen
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