moonstone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Technical (in gemmology), Poetic/Literary (in general use)
Quick answer
What does “moonstone” mean?
A semi-precious, pearly-white or bluish gemstone, a variety of feldspar, known for its characteristic adularescence (a floating, bluish-white sheen).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A semi-precious, pearly-white or bluish gemstone, a variety of feldspar, known for its characteristic adularescence (a floating, bluish-white sheen).
Anything that resembles the stone in appearance (e.g., a pale, milky colour or sheen) or, by metaphorical extension, something associated with the moon, dreams, or mystery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Connotations are identical: mysticism, femininity, calm, intuition. Heavily used in fantasy literature and New Age contexts in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in everyday speech but stable in specialised (jewellery, geology) and literary registers.
Grammar
How to Use “moonstone” in a Sentence
[be] made of moonstone[be] set with moonstones[have] a [quality] like moonstonethe [sheen/glow] of moonstoneVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moonstone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This material cannot be 'moonstoned'; it is not a verb.
American English
- Moonstone is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Her dress was a moonstone blue.
- The artist captured the moonstone sheen of the dawn mist.
American English
- She painted the walls a moonstone grey.
- The gadget had a moonstone finish.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in jewellery retail and gemstone wholesale (e.g., 'Our new line features Ceylon moonstone.')
Academic
Used in geology/mineralogy papers describing feldspar group minerals and their optical properties.
Everyday
Rare. Might occur when discussing jewellery or in poetic description (e.g., 'The lake had a moonstone glow.')
Technical
Precise term in gemmology for a specific variety of orthoclase or albite feldspar exhibiting adularescence.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moonstone”
- Misspelling as 'moonsone' or 'monstone'. Using it as a mass noun incorrectly (e.g., 'The bracelet is made of moonstone' is fine, but 'a moonstone' refers to a single gem).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is traditionally associated with the month of June, alongside pearl and alexandrite.
Yes, it can also be found in peach, grey, and rainbow varieties, though the classic bluish-white is most valued.
No. On the Mohs scale of hardness, it is about 6 to 6.5, making it relatively soft and susceptible to scratching, so it requires careful wear.
It is commonly associated with intuition, feminine energy, fertility, love, and is said to promote calm and balance. These are modern metaphysical associations, not scientific properties.
A semi-precious, pearly-white or bluish gemstone, a variety of feldspar, known for its characteristic adularescence (a floating, bluish-white sheen).
Moonstone is usually formal/technical (in gemmology), poetic/literary (in general use) in register.
Moonstone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmuːn.stəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmuːn.stoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is not commonly used idiomatically.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MOON + STONE. The stone looks like it has a piece of the moon's milky, shimmering light captured inside it.
Conceptual Metaphor
MYSTERY/INTUITION IS A MOONSTONE; THE SUBLIME IS LUMINOUS LIKE MOONSTONE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining visual characteristic of a high-quality moonstone?