Top 10 Types of Moonstone: A Comprehensive Guide

Jewelry enthusiasts all over the world are fascinated by different types of moonstone because each one captures light in a unique and enchanting way, adding a distinct mood to your designs. At Beads of Cambay, we love helping you discover the moonstone gemstone that fits your style, from soft milky glows to dramatic flashes of blue or rainbow color. Whether you are stringing moonstone beads for everyday bracelets or selecting center stones for heirloom pieces, understanding the different types of moonstone makes it easier to pick the right gems for your next design.

• Different types of Moonstone and different types of Moonstones offer a wide range of colors and light effects, from classic white and blue to dramatic black and soft peach, so you can match any design style.
  
  

• Blue Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Peach, Pink, Green, White, Gray, Black, cat’s eye, and star varieties each bring their own personality, letting you choose the Moonstone gemstone that fits your mood, meaning, and aesthetic.
  
  

• Moonstone beads and Rainbow Moonstone beads work beautifully with many other gemstone beads, making them ideal for layering, stacking, and building both everyday and statement jewelry.
  
  

• Proper care with gentle cleaning, soft storage, and limited exposure to harsh chemicals helps keep all types of Moonstone glowing for years of regular wear.
  
  

• Buying Moonstone beads from Beads of Cambay gives you access to carefully selected quality, consistent cuts, and a range of Moonstone gemstone options that support both hobbyists and professional jewelry makers.

Moonstone is a feldspar gemstone known for a soft, floating sheen called adularescence that seems to move across the surface as you tilt the stone. This effect comes from alternating layers inside the crystal that scatter light, giving Moonstone its dreamy glow and moon‑like shimmer. Classic moonstone gemstone varieties can appear colorless, white, gray, peach, pink, green, or brown, often with a silky or slightly translucent body. Jewelers usually cut moonstone as cabochons or smooth beads so that this glow shows clearly from the top of the stone.

People are drawn to Moonstones because they feel soft, romantic, and luminous without being overly flashy, which makes them easy to wear every day. Many crystal lovers associate Moonstone with intuition, emotional balance, and feminine energy, so they like to keep it close in jewelry they wear often. Designers appreciate how moonstone gemstone pieces pair beautifully with both warm and cool metals and complement a wide range of other gemstone beads in layered looks. From boho bracelets to fine earrings, moonstone adds a gentle glow that flatters almost every skin tone.

Moonstone forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and belongs to the feldspar family, which makes up a large portion of the Earth’s crust. Important sources include Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Madagascar, Tanzania, and the United States, with Sri Lanka known for fine blue Moonstone and India for multi‑colored material. Some high‑end blue moonstone varieties are sometimes referred to as adularia and have been prized in European jewelry since the Art Nouveau era. Today, you’ll see moonstone gemstone strands and cabochons coming from several regions, giving you many choices in color and clarity at different price points.

There are many different types of Moonstone, each with its own color and light effect. As you learn about the different types of Moonstones, you’ll see how each variety can change the mood of your designs, from ethereal blue glows to moody gray or bold black pieces. Some types show special optical effects like a cat’s‑eye line or a star pattern, which add even more personality to your moonstone gemstone jewelry.

Gemologists group moonstones into several varieties based on color, structure, and optical effects. Common types include blue, rainbow, green, pink, white, gray, black, peach, cat’s eye, and star moonstone, each offering a different kind of shimmer. When you’re choosing between different types of moonstone for your next design, you can think about both the body color and the way the sheen appears on the surface.

Blue Moonstone is one of the most sought‑after types of moonstone, loved for its clear to slightly milky body and strong blue sheen. Fine blue moonstone often comes from Sri Lanka and Myanmar and can show an almost electric blue glow that seems to float just beneath the surface. This variety is popular in rings, pendants, and high‑end moonstone beads when designers want a refined, almost icy look.

Rainbow moonstone is technically a white variety of labradorite that shows flashes of blue and other colors, but it is widely sold and loved as a moonstone gemstone. Its body is usually white or colorless with internal patterns, and the sheen can display blue, green, yellow, or multicolored flashes depending on the angle. Rainbow moonstone beads are a favorite for statement necklaces and bracelets because every bead has a slightly different pattern and play of color.

Green moonstone is less common and shows a soft green or minty glow that feels fresh and calming. Some people associate Green moonstone with emotional healing and a deeper connection to nature, again based on crystal traditions rather than clinical research. In jewelry, it pairs beautifully with warm metals and earth‑tone gemstone beads, creating organic, soothing palettes.

Pink moonstone has gentle blush tones that can range from pale shell pink to deeper rose shades. The sheen on Pink moonstone is usually soft and silky, creating a romantic, flattering effect that works especially well in feminine earrings and layered necklaces. It’s a lovely choice if you like the idea of moonstone gemstone but want a warmer, more rosy color story.

White moonstone is what many people picture first: a milky to semi‑transparent stone with a soft, floating glow across the surface. This variety feels airy and serene, making it perfect for bridal designs, spiritual pieces, and everyday styles that need a subtle, luminous accent. White moonstone strands also layer nicely with brighter gemstone beads, toning down bolder colors while still adding light.

Gray moonstone shows smoky, mysterious shades from pale silver to deeper charcoal. The sheen can appear as a ghostly light drifting across a stormy background, which gives Gray moonstone an edgy yet refined character. It’s a great option if you love neutrals and want a moonstone gemstone that feels modern and slightly moody.

Black moonstone features rich, dark body tones with flashes of silver, gray, or occasionally warm highlights. This variety can look dramatic and bold, especially in larger cabochons or chunky beads that show off the movement of light across the surface. Black moonstone works beautifully in statement cuffs or layered bracelets when you want depth and contrast with lighter stones.

Peach moonstone glows with warm peach, apricot, or champagne tones that flatter many skin tones. Its gentle shimmer gives jewelry a soft, romantic feel that works well for both casual stacking bracelets and more polished evening designs. If you like jewelry that feels cozy and inviting, Peach Moonstone is one of the most appealing types of moonstones you can choose.

Cat’s eye moonstone is a special variety that shows a single bright line of light across the surface, similar to a cat’s eye, due to parallel internal structures. When the stone is cut correctly, this line moves as you turn the gem, making it incredibly captivating in rings and pendants. Because it is rarer than many other types of moonstone, cat’s eye moonstone gemstone pieces often feel extra distinctive in a collection.

Star moonstone can display a star‑like pattern, usually with four rays, caused by light reflecting from needle‑like inclusions within the stone. This effect is easiest to see under a focused light and looks especially magical in domed cabochons set in rings or pendants. Star moonstone is perfect for you if you love celestial themes and want jewelry that feels both mystical and refined.

'Many people use moonstone in crystal practices, where it is said to support emotional balance, intuition, and inner calm, though these ideas are spiritual in nature rather than scientifically proven. Some traditions also connect the moonstone gemstone with better sleep, stress relief, and creative inspiration, so artists and writers often keep it nearby. Even if you simply enjoy Moonstone for its beauty, wearing it often can make your everyday jewelry feel more meaningful and reflective of your personal style.

Moonstone is relatively soft compared with many popular gems, so it needs gentle handling and storage. Keep your moonstone gemstone jewelry in a soft pouch or separate compartment so harder stones do not scratch its surface. Remove moonstone rings and bracelets before heavy work, exercise, or contact with harsh chemicals to help maintain their glow.

Yes, you can clean moonstones at home with simple methods. Use lukewarm water, a mild soap, and a soft cloth or brush to gently clean your moonstone pieces, then rinse and pat dry. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaning, and strong household chemicals, which may damage the stone or its setting over time. Many crystal enthusiasts also like to place moonstone under moonlight on a windowsill to symbolically “recharge” its energy, though this is a personal ritual rather than a requirement.

Yes, you can buy moonstone beads online and enjoy a wide selection of colors, shapes, and qualities. At Beads of Cambay, we offer carefully selected moonstone beads, Rainbow moonstone beads, and other gemstone beads so you can create jewelry that reflects your vision. Our customers consistently rate us highly for quality, value, and service, and many share how much they appreciate the glow and consistency of our moonstone strands. You can buy moonstone beads and pick your favorite from them, including moonstone, various types of moonstone in multiple cuts, and other moonstone options that suit both beginners and professional designers.

Moonstone comes in an amazing range of colors and effects, giving you countless ways to express your style through jewelry. When you understand the different types of moonstone available, it becomes easier to choose strands and stones that match your designs, your wardrobe, and the mood you want your pieces to carry. At Beads of Cambay, we’re here to help you find moonstone gemstone strands you’ll reach for again and again as you create your next favorite pieces.

Beads of Cambay highlights several moonstone varieties in its jewelry collections, including Blue Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Green Moonstone, Pink Moonstone, White Moonstone, and Gray Moonstone in various fine settings. These examples show how versatile different types of Moonstone can be in rings, pendants, and earrings.

Most Moonstone varieties are suitable for jewelry if you treat them gently and choose protective settings for rings and bracelets. Blue, Rainbow, White, Peach, and Gray Moonstones are especially popular for everyday wear because they offer beautiful sheen and pair well with many metals and styles.

Anyone can wear moonstone, regardless of zodiac sign or background, if they feel drawn to its look or meaning. Some traditions recommend Moonstone for people seeking emotional balance or a deeper connection to intuition, but you can simply wear it because you love its glow.

Do you have more questions related to Moonstone? Here are a few types of other Moonstone articles we will be adding soon to guide you through styles, meanings, and design ideas. 

Opal vs Moonstone

Peach Moonstone Meaning

If you want to know more, visit our blog section or contact us via email at info@beadsofcambay.com. You can also call us at +1-877-255-5058 to clarify any doubts you may have, and our expert support team is here to help you choose Moonstone beads you’ll love working with.