《June》Moonstone is a gemstone with an attractive soft sparkling blue color.

About birthstones

Garnet because you were born in January, amethyst because you were born in February...I think most people have heard of the word birthstone at least once. Birthstones have very ancient roots, dating back to the times of the Old Testament. Initially, the custom was to wear 12 different types of stones, which changed each month, but this gradually changed to wearing a stone named after the month of birth, and later, around the 14th century, Jews who immigrated to Poland It is said that the custom was spread by the people of China, and it was in 1912 that a certain degree of unification was seen around the world. The selection was made by the American Jewelers Guild based on the Bible's description, but with some revisions taking into account the historical background of the time.
In Japan, the selection was made by the National Jewelers Association in 1958, and the lineup is based on American and British birthstones, with Japanese characteristics such as coral and jade. In this way, although birthstones are common to some extent around the world, they exhibit slightly different characteristics in each country.

a stone called moonstone

Moonstone is one of June's birthstones. The relationship between humans is said to have begun around the 1st century B.C., and the name comes from the Greek word for moon, ``Seletenis,'' based on the legend that the size of gemstones changes according to the phases of the moon. Generally speaking, it is milky white in color, but there are many other types such as blue, orange, gray, and rainbow colors (depending on the item, it is sometimes called ``labradorite'' to be exact). In many cases, both are commonly sold and distributed as moonstone). Gem words include "health," "longevity," "pure love," and "wealth." It has a moist feel that blends into the skin, and the layered structure inside cabochon-cut minerals, called the Schiller effect, causes reflection and confusion of light, creating strong colors such as blue and white that float on the surface. Lights are often seen appearing. Of course, not all stones exhibit the Schiller effect, and there are subtle differences in the way it appears, and each stone has a distinct individuality due to inclusions, making it fun to find your own favorite stone. there is. Although it has a moderate hardness of around 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, it does not have that much strength against scratches, and like diamond, it has cleavage properties, so some care must be taken when handling it. There is also a tendency for dents to form somewhat easily.

The mystery of moonstone

When rolled in the palm of the hand, moonstone has a Schiller effect reminiscent of the waxing and waning of the moon. Its soft light can be observed even under moonlight, and since ancient times in Europe it has been compared to the moon that watches over the night, and it has been used as a talisman for traveling and walking at night, and by wearing it on your body or placing it next to your bed, it has the effect of making it difficult to have nightmares. It has a history of being believed to exist and being used heavily. In an era when there were no electric lights, the only light at night was moonlight, and the appearance of the Schiller effect differed depending on the amount of light that accompanied the waxing and waning of the moon. so,it may be that a legend was born. As I write this article, it is a special day when a total lunar eclipse can be observed in many parts of the world. How about turning off the familiar lights and observing the gentle glow of moonstone under the moonlight?