Moonstone owes its name to the mysterious shimmer of light that changes constantly when the stone is moved. Moonstones from Sri Lanka shimmer in pale blue on an almost transparent background, whilst those from India feature a nebulous interplay of light and shadow on a background of beige-brown, green, orange or brown.

The most highly valued moonstones are those, which are larger, more transparent and more intense in colour. It is mined in many countries including the United States, Brazil, India, Tanzania, Myanmar and Madagascar.

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