
mineral
Peach Moonstone
Potassium Aluminum Silicate, KAlSi3O8
Hardness: 6-6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Peach, salmon, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Adularescence (schiller effect).
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Color
- Peach, salmon, or tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Peach, salmon, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Adularescence (schiller effect).
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks through the cooling of magma. The characteristic sheen results from thin layers of orthoclase and albite that create light diffraction.
Uses & applications
Predominantly used in jewelry (cabochons, beads, carvings), decorative ornaments, and by collectors for its unique optical properties.
Geological facts
Moonstone is a variety of the feldspar group mineral orthoclase. It has been used in jewelry for centuries, notably by the Romans who believed it was formed from frozen beams of moonlight.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its soft peach hue and the internal 'glow' or shimmer (adularescence) when rotated under light. Commonly found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and India. Collectors look for stones with a strong internal sheen and minimal cracks.
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