Crystal guide

Moonstone: meaning, uses and who it suits

Moonstone is a milky stone with a soft glow that seems to float across it as you move it. In India it is also called chandrakant mani, and it is commonly given as an upratna. This page explains what moonstone is, what it is traditionally linked with, how it is worn and how to look after it.

Moonstone at a glance

Hindi name	चंद्रकांत मणि
Mineral	Feldspar (mainly orthoclase with layers of albite)
Colour	Colourless, white, grey or peach with a blue or white floating glow
Hardness (Mohs)	6 to 6.5
Where it is found	Sri Lanka (the finest blue sheen), India, Myanmar, Madagascar and Brazil
Commonly paired with	Moon (number 2)
Upratna (substitute) for	Pearl

A note before you buy

Crystals are part of a tradition of intention and reflection. They are not a substitute for medical care, and they cannot promise money, love or luck. For any health concern, please see a doctor.

What moonstone is

Moonstone is a feldspar. As it cooled, two feldspars separated into very thin alternating layers, and light scattering between these layers creates the moving glow called adularescence. Moonstone has easy cleavage, so a hard knock can split it, and it is softer than quartz.

What moonstone is traditionally linked with

In crystal practice moonstone is traditionally linked with calm, feelings and intuition.
Many people keep it by the bedside or wear it as a pendant.
It is commonly offered as an upratna; the details from this site’s data are shown below.

Numbers and planets it is paired with

These pairings come from the same data as the gemstone calculator: each number from 1 to 9 has a planet, a ratna, its upratna (substitutes) and crystal choices. The Lo Shu direction of the number is where some people place the crystal when that number is missing from their Lo Shu grid.

Number	Planet	Listed as	Ratna of the planet	Lo Shu direction
2	Moon	Crystal and upratna	Pearl	South-West

Moonstone is the usual crystal choice for the Moon, often kept by the bedside or worn as a pendant.

As an upratna it is a lower-cost stand-in for Pearl. A substitute for a ratna is still chosen after a chart check.

Find your Mulank and Bhagyank with the gemstone calculator

How moonstone is commonly worn or placed

Pendants and rings in silver are the most common.
When it is suggested as an upratna, the finger, metal and day are set by the astrologer after a chart check.
Take it off for heavy work, sport and cleaning: a knock can chip or split it.

Vastu guides for where it is kept

Bedroom Vastu: direction, bed position, mirrors and colours

Care and cleansing of moonstone

Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap; avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners.
Protect it from knocks and sudden heat.
Store it in a soft pouch apart from harder stones.
Many people like to “cleanse” a crystal from time to time; plain morning light for a short while or resting it on a dry shelf suits almost every stone. Ask about yours before using water, salt or strong sun.

Real moonstone: natural, treated, dyed or fake

Real moonstone shows a glow that moves over the surface as you tilt it; milky glass (“opalite”) shows a fixed blue or orange tint with no moving glow.
“Rainbow moonstone” is a light labradorite, a related feldspar with colourful flashes; it is sold under that trade name.
Natural moonstone often has small inclusions; glass is perfectly clean and may show bubbles.

For a costly piece, ask for a report from an independent gem testing laboratory. It names the material and any treatment.

Tools and guides

Other crystals

Questions about moonstone

Which number and planet is moonstone paired with?

In our numerology data moonstone is paired with Moon (number 2). Treat this as a starting point: your full set of numbers and your question matter too.

Is moonstone used as an upratna?

Yes. In this site’s data moonstone is listed as an upratna, a stand-in for a ratna; which ratna it stands in for is shown on this page. A substitute should still be chosen after a chart check.

What is rainbow moonstone?

Rainbow moonstone is a pale labradorite, a related feldspar, with blue and rainbow flashes. It is sold as moonstone in the trade but is a different feldspar.

Can I wear moonstone every day?

Yes, with care. It is softer than quartz and can split if knocked, so take it off for heavy work and sport.

Can moonstone replace medical care?

No. Crystals are part of a tradition of intention and reflection, not medicine. Please keep following your doctor’s advice for any health concern.