moonstone
Americannoun
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Also called precious moonstone. a semitransparent or translucent, opalescent, pearly-blue variety of adularia, used as a gem.
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any of several adularescent feldspars, as certain varieties of albite, labradorite, or oligoclase, used as gems.
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(not used technically) any milky or girasol stone used as a gem.
noun
Usage
What is moonstone? Moonstone is a variety of gemstone that’s commonly milky white with a blue, silver, or multicolored iridescent tint. It is a variety of the mineral feldspar (more specifically, adularia or orthoclase). Moonstones can be transparent or semitransparent. More transparent moonstones are typically more valuable and higher in price. The moonstone is one of the birthstones for the month of June, along with pearl and alexandrite. It’s associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer. The word moonstone is also sometimes used to refer to other varieties of feldspar, or, less technically, to any milky-colored gemstone. Example: I have a moonstone ring that gives off a blue shine when it catches the light.
Etymology
Origin of moonstone
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I don't know if you remember, but at the end you give her a moonstone.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2023
Then we searched for its namesake moonstones, which aren’t true moonstone gems, but a variety of quartz.
From Washington Post • Oct. 7, 2021
Prayer bead bracelets are strung with smooth Australian opal, moonstone or bone.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2018
During our conversation, we discovered that both Seamus and Zoe loved the moon, so before I left, I handed Deirdre the moonstone my counselor had given me, and we promised to keep in touch.
From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2018
She paused, drawing a ragged breath, and took the moonstone ring out of her pocket and put it into the palm of his hand.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
