How Much Is Moonstone Worth?
Moonstone is a feldspar prized for 'adularescence' — a soft, floating blue-to-white glow that seems to drift across the stone as it moves. Quality spans a wide range: milky white cabochons with weak sheen sell for $5–$40, good cabochons with clear blue adularescence for $30–$200, and fine transparent 'blue moonstone' (top material historically from Sri Lanka and India) for $50–$500+ per carat. Rainbow moonstone (technically a labradorite) with multicolor flash is a related, popular variety. Value comes from the strength and color of the sheen (vivid blue over a colorless, transparent body is the pinnacle), clarity, size, and cut orientation. Cheap glass and synthetic 'opalite' imitations are common, so a floating blue schiller inside a clear body — rather than a milky surface glow — is the mark of fine natural moonstone.
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Moonstone value by type
| Type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Milky white cabochons | $5 – $40 |
| Rainbow moonstone | $15 – $120 |
| Blue-sheen cabochons | $30 – $200 |
| Fine transparent blue (per ct) | $50 – $500+/ct |
Educational ballparks for typical specimens — not a formal appraisal.
What drives moonstone value
- Adularescence. A strong, vivid blue floating sheen is the top value driver.
- Body clarity. Transparent, colorless bodies showing blue sheen beat milky, opaque stones.
- Cut & orientation. A well-oriented cabochon maximizes the moving glow.
- Size. Large clean stones with strong sheen are exponentially pricier.
Is your moonstone real?
Glass and 'opalite' (a milky man-made glass) are frequently sold as moonstone. Genuine moonstone is feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5) and shows an internal, directional blue schiller that shifts with angle; opalite/glass shows a flat surface glow, is often too clean, and may contain round bubbles.
Full moonstonereal-or-fake guide & at-home tests →FAQ
- What makes moonstone valuable?
- A strong blue adularescence floating inside a transparent, colorless body is the most prized — fine blue moonstone reaches hundreds per carat.
- Is my moonstone real or opalite?
- Real moonstone shows a directional blue glow from within that moves with angle; opalite (glass) has a flat, even milky surface glow and may show bubbles.