Scientific:
Alexandrite owes its name to the fact that it was discovered in the Urals in 1830, on the day that Prince Alexander of Russia's coming of age (turning 21).

Alexandrite is a very rare mineral variety of chrysoberyl, which occurs in granitic pegmatites and mica schists. Small-scale replacement in chrysoberyl of alumina by chromic oxide results in the formation of the variety alexandrite and is responsible for alexandrite's characteristic green to red color change. Poets have spoken of alexandrite as "an emerald by day and a ruby by night."

It is green in daylight and red in artificial incandescent light. It can be almost emerald green, but is more often yellowish or brownish green. It's main characteristic is the ability to change color if exposed to a light source rich in red rays; by candlelight or tungsten light, it turns red or reddish. This unusual phenomenon is what distinguishes it from other green chrysoberyl. This pronounced color change from green to red is highly prized and, as always, the exact tone of the color, or colors, is important. The ideal color change is brilliant green turning into fiery red, although dull green turning reddish or slightly turbid blood red is more common. This changing color is best seen in thick stones. Alexandrite from the Urals is blue-green in daylight and bright purplish-red under tungsten light. The stone from Ceylon is olive-green to brown in the day light and red under artificial light.

Given the rarity of alexandrite, even stones with a number of inclusions are cut. Alexandrite displaying the cat's eye effect is a great rarity. 

The changing color is an unmistakable characteristic. However, recently, small quantities of green or bluish colored grossular garnet that turn red like alexandrite have been found in South Africa. To distinguish between the two, it is useful to look for signs of birefringence, as garnet, unlike alexandrite, is singly refractive. (Birefringence is the ability of certain crystals to split incident light into two rays.)

Alexandrite is so rare that very few people have actually seen one; and perhaps for this reason, the name is applied to other, mainly synthetic stones, not remotely like it (usually violet colored synthetic corundum's). 

Care must be taken when working with it, as it is sensitive to knocks and color changes are possible with exposure to great heat. High quality alexandrite is one of the most expensive of all gemstones.

The deposits in the Urals are all worked out. Today it is mined in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Burma, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The largest stone, 1876 ct, was found in Sri Lanka. The largest cut alexandrite weighs 66 ct; it is in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Alexandrite is used only in jewelry. It is so rare that anything over 5 carats is considered big!

Variety of: Chrysoberyl
Chemical Composition: BeAl2O4 + Fe,Ti beryllium aluminum oxide
Hardness: 8.5 

Alexandrite from Russia in natural and incandescent light

History: 
Alexandrite was a favorite gemstone with Russian aristocrats. The red and green colors of the gem match the czarist military colors.

Alexandrite can be found in jewels of the period, as it was well loved by the Russian master jewelers. Master gemologist George Kunz of Tiffany was a fan of alexandrite and the company produced many rings featuring fine alexandrite in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, including some set in platinum from the twenties. Some Victorian jewelry from England features sets of small alexandrites.

Lore:
Because of the luck of discovering the gem on the Czar's birthday, it is considered a good luck amulet.

This 1.29-carat Russian alexandrite displays the change-of-color that has made stones from this deposit so famous. From the Mary Murphy collection. 
Photos ©1988 Tino Hammid, Los Angeles

Metaphysical:
Alexandrite is said to help balance one's emotional state, to provide confidence, to increase self-esteem and to help bring about change. It is also said to bring happiness and success, and to intensify feelings of love and sensuality. 

Alexandrite is an emblem of loyal regard. Dreams of alexandrites are said to symbolize struggle and progress. 

The alexandrite is regarded as a harbinger of good luck. It is used to enhance luck and love into ones life.

It is a crystal often used to connect one with the very origin of being itself, and to help in spiritual growth of wholeness of self. It has been used as a stone of manifestation and good fortune, joy, and creativity.

Helps to align mental and emotional body and aids in spiritual transformation and regeneration. This stone reflects one's highest potential, raises self-esteem, and brings oneness with life. It aids internal and external regeneration. 

Alexandrite is so special; it bestows both an uplifting and ennobling energy. In it's highest aspect, alexandrite symbolizes freedom, joy, and regeneration.

moonstone cabochons

Scientific:
Moonstone can be two minerals: Orthoclase Feldspar (Potassium Aluminum Silicate) or sometimes Albite Plagioclase Feldspar (Sodium Aluminum Silicate). This stone can be confused with selenite gypsum (selenite is very soft and can be scratched with a fingernail while Moonstone is relatively hard). 

Moonstone is potassium feldspar of the orthoclase (adularia) species with white shimmer, similar to moonshine (therefore the name) the so-called adularescence. Moonstone's cat's eye is also known. Deposits are found in Sri Lanka, which is often referred to as the "National Stone of Sri Lanka", Burma (Myanmar), Brazil, India, Madagascar, and the U.S. 

The other type is Albite moonstone, which is sodium rich. The two types of moonstones are very similar in appearance when cut in cabochon. In both cases, the composition is midway between that of the orthoclase and that of albite: albite moonstone can be defined as a microperthitic association of albite and orthoclase with a predominance of albite. These types of moonstone can be found mainly in Canada and Kenya, but also occurs in Sri Lanka and India.

Moonstone generally has an almost transparent background, which is practically colorless, pale gray, or tinged with yellow, with a whitish to silvery white or blue shimmer. Incipient cleavage cracks may be visible inside the stone. 

Called Moonstone for it's resemblance to the silvery moon, it comes in iridescent white, peach, pink, gray and yellow. The Greeks believed the stone ruled by Venus (Aphrodite/Selene), calling it Aphroselene after the Goddess Selene. 

Chemical Composition: KAISi3O8
Hardness: 6 - 6.5

gray moonstone cabochons

History:
The island of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) has, from time immemorial, produced the most desirable and enchanting specimens of moonstone. According to tradition, in the Moonstone Temple of Anuradhapura, the steps of the altar are faced with mosaics of gleaming moonstones. The ruins of this temple, which was built about 100 B.C., still can be seen today. I did research this and found that the steps of the altar are made of a granite stone, and there are no mosaics of moonstone's left.

Moonstone was used in Roman jewelry about 100 A.D. In India moonstone is still a sacred gem; East Indian tradition holds that moonstone is a symbol of the Third eye and clarifies spiritual understanding.

Moonstone was very popular early in the 20th century and was extensively used in Art Nouveau jewelry. 

The extraordinary Russian tiara of ribbons of turquoise and moonstone, wrapped around a diamond frame, given as a Christmas present to his wife by Ernst Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse, in 1906, symbolizes eternity (diamonds), true love (turquoise) and innocence (moonstone). This tiara is on exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

 
golden moonstone cabochons

Lore:
Folk law suggests that moonstone was supposed to awaken tender passions if placed beneath the tongues of lovers at full moon. In addition, it was recommended that holding a moonstone in the mouth would refresh one's memory.

This stone has always been revered because of its lunar attraction. It was believed that the shiller in the stone would follow the cycles of the moon. (Becoming greatest when the moon was full.) In addition, it has always been considered a "feminine, or Goddess" stone. 

In the Orient, moonstone was believed to be the solidified rays of the moon, and the glimmering light within was the light of the good spirit that lived in the stone. Occasionally, under magnification, a peculiar flaw appears: a long inclusion resembling a centipede.

In ancient Rome, moonstones were thought to change their look during the lunar phases. They also thought that a picture of Diana, the Goddess of the Moon, could be seen in every moonstone. In the middle ages, people thought you could look into a moonstone, fall into a deep sleep that would tell you of the future. 

carved moon faces on moonstone

Traveler stones was a name of moonstones because of the protection that travelers received at night from the gemstone.

The Asians point out that when there is a moon there is no rain and so the name, moonstone, means "no tears." According to legend, a moonstone placed in the mouth while the moon is full gives lovers the power to read their futures together. 

Superstition says it has the power to hypnotize the person who gazes at it as it moves back and forth. 

Amulets of moonstone were hung in fruit trees to produce abundant crops. It was thought to protect against wandering of the mind, insanity and epilepsy. It was attributed to improving physical strength and reconciling lovers. If held in the mouth, a moonstone was supposed to help decide matters. 

various types of golden moonstone beads

The Florida State Gem: Moonstone

United States astronauts Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon July 20, 1969, preparing for man's first personal inspection of the lunar surface. Since the Apollo 11 and all other manned space flights had blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, it came as no coincidence that the State Legislature of Florida sought to memorialize America's unprecedented international, scientific and technological triumph.

Therefore, ten months later, May 20, 1970, Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official State Gem.

Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida... nor was it found on the moon.

turn of the century carved moonstone cameo of the goddess Diana http://www.jewelstories.com/

Future Events Ritual: 
Can be performed up to at least 3 days after a full moon. Hold a moonstone in your hands while visualizing a possible future course for action, such as selling a house or accepting a new job. Then place the moonstone beneath your tongue and continue visualizing. After a few minutes, remove the stone and end your conscious effort to retain the image. If it remains, or if your thoughts continue to revolve around the possible act, it is a favorable one. If your mind turns to other matters then it is better to take a different route.

Weight-loss Ritual:
Do not diet. Reprogram your eating habits. Eat lighter meals at regular intervals, avoid sugars and fats, get all the veggies and fruits you need, and wear a charged moonstone. Three nights after a full moon, stand nude in front of a mirror. Study your body closely, be honest, and be brutal. (To successfully perform this magic, you must know yourself, accept your faults, and then allow yourself to change.) Visualize yourself slimmer, in control of your food intake, and completely alive. Then, hold a moonstone in your projective hand while continuing to visualize the body and discipline you wish to have. Rub the moonstone over the problem areas of your body, visualizing them melting away. Finally, carry the stone with you at all times. When you feel the urge to eat cheesecake, take the stone in your receptive hand, breathe deeply for ten seconds, push the image of food from your mind, and then grab a juicy peach or crunchy carrot stick.

From: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham.

Metaphysical:
Moonstone is associated with the moon and water. It is highly associated with all goddesses, but specifically moon goddesses. 

Moonstone is a love stone, and is said to draw love to its wearer. It can help solve problems between lovers. If it is worn during sexual intercourse, it not only can make the woman very fertile, it is said to help impregnate her too.

Moonstone can help aid in sleeping disorders. Place a moonstone under your pillow at night, and it is said to help you sleep. 

To dream of a moonstone is said to be a warning of impending danger.

Due to its affinity with water, moonstone is supposed to protect those at sea.

Moonstones are said to open a person's heart to nurturing qualities as well as to help one accept the experience of love.