During our Crystal Live the other night, several of you were asking about Moonstone - particularly the unique benefits of each! So I've put together some info that I hope you'll all enjoy:
(Also, please note: I did a LOT of digging to write this, and a few bits of info surprised me!! If you have verifiable info to the contrary, please share 
Let's learn together!)
Let's learn together!)A Guide to Moonstone: A Celestial Gem
Moonstone, a feldspar mineral with a shimmering, iridescent quality, has captivated humans for centuries. Its name evokes the moon's gentle glow, and its properties are often associated with feminine energy, intuition, and emotional balance.
General Benefits Shared by All Moonstones:
Emotional Equilibrium: All Moonstones are believed to soothe anxiety, reduce stress, and stabilise mood swings, promoting emotional balance.
Intuition and Psychic Awareness: They are thought to enhance intuition, connect you with inner wisdom, and provide deeper self-understanding.
Hormonal Harmony: Moonstone is often associated with balancing hormones, particularly in women, offering support during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
Protection and Grounding: They are believed to offer a protective shield against negative energies and promote a sense of grounding and stability.
Creativity and Inspiration: Moonstones are often linked to boosting creativity, encouraging new ideas, and fostering self-expression.
Now, let's explore the individual characteristics of different Moonstone colours:
White Moonstone:
Appearance: The most common variety, ranging from colourless to milky white with a soft, pearly sheen.
Metaphysical: Associated with purity, clarity, new beginnings, emotional balance, and peace of mind.
Emotional: Calms anxieties, reduces stress, and brings clarity to confusing situations.
Physical: Believed to support healthy sleep patterns and alleviate menstrual cramps.
Peach Moonstone:
Appearance: Exhibits warm, peachy hues.
Metaphysical: Linked to self-love, compassion, nurturing, emotional healing, healthy relationships, and self-worth.
Emotional: Helps release anger, resentment, and guilt, promoting forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Physical: Believed to support heart health and improve circulation.
Rainbow Moonstone (Labradorite):
Appearance: Displays a spectrum of iridescent colours, including blues, greens, golds, and oranges. It's important to reiterate that this is actually a variety of Labradorite, not true Moonstone.
Metaphysical: Associated with joy, optimism, hope, uplifting the spirit, and encouraging a positive outlook.
Emotional: Helps overcome sadness, depression, and despair, bringing joy and laughter.
Physical: Believed to boost the immune system and enhance vitality.
Black Moonstone:
Appearance: Dark grey to black, often with a subtle sheen.
Metaphysical: Linked to grounding, protection, emotional release, overcoming emotional blockages, releasing past traumas, and shielding from negative energies.
Emotional: Promotes feeling grounded and centred, reducing overwhelm and anxiety.
Physical: Believed to alleviate pain and promote restful sleep.
Green Moonstone (Amazonite):
Appearance: Vibrant green. This is also technically a separate mineral (Amazonite), though it's sometimes referred to as Green Moonstone.
Metaphysical: Associated with growth, abundance, communication, enhanced creativity, self-expression, and open communication.
Emotional: Helps overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness, fostering connection and belonging.
Physical: Believed to soothe throat chakra issues and improve communication skills.
Is green moonstone REALLY just a different name for amazonite?
Yes, "green moonstone" is essentially just another name for amazonite.
Here's why:
Mineral Composition: Both are varieties of microcline feldspar.
Colour: Both exhibit a green colour, though the shade can vary.
Adularescence: While some green moonstone might display a subtle shimmer, it's not the strong, bluish adularescence typically associated with traditional moonstone.
Why the Name "Green Moonstone"?
The term "green moonstone" likely arose due to:
Marketing: It's a catchy and appealing name that connects the green colour to the mystical allure of moonstone.
Misconception: Some people may mistakenly believe that any green feldspar with a shimmering effect is a type of moonstone.
So, while "green moonstone" is sometimes used in the marketplace, it's more accurate to refer to this gemstone as amazonite.
Is rainbow moonstone REALLY just a different name for labradorite?
Yes!
Rainbow Moonstone is actually a variety of Labradorite.
Here's the breakdown:
Labradorite: A type of feldspar mineral known for its stunning display of colours, often called "labradorescence" – a play of colours like blue, green, yellow, and purple.
Rainbow Moonstone: A specific type of labradorite that exhibits a particularly vibrant and colourful labradorescence over a white to pale grey matrix. The "rainbow" in the name refers to the wide spectrum of colours displayed by the stone.
Key Points:
Rainbow moonstone is not a separate type of moonstone.
It's a captivating variety of labradorite with a mesmerising display of colours.
In closing, Moonstone, with its diverse array of colours and associated properties, offers a wealth of potential benefits for those seeking emotional balance, enhanced intuition, and spiritual growth. From the calming energies of White and Black Moonstone to the nurturing vibrations of Peach and the insightful depth of Blue Moonstone, each variety brings its unique gifts. While "Rainbow Moonstone" (Labradorite) and "Green Moonstone" (Amazonite) are distinct minerals, their inclusion in the Moonstone family highlights the broader spectrum of energies available for exploration. Whether you are drawn to its purported hormonal balancing effects, its connection to the lunar cycles, or simply its mesmerising beauty, Moonstone serves as a powerful reminder of our own inner light and the potential for profound personal transformation. Although the metaphysical properties are rooted in tradition and belief, the gentle energy and symbolic significance of Moonstone make it a truly invaluable addition to any personal collection of healing crystals, offering comfort, inspiration, and a tangible connection to the mysteries of the universe.