This is the one stone in our moonstone collection whose recorded body colour is milky white rather than grey, and it is the reason this piece carries the white moonstone name. At 17.8 carat — 19.56 ratti — it is among the largest we hold, priced at Rs. 12,380, or about Rs. 696 per carat.

Why white matters in moonstone

Most moonstone on the market is described loosely as white when it is really a pale translucent grey. The distinction is worth caring about: a genuinely milky body gives the blue sheen something to sit against, so the glow reads as blue on white rather than blue on grey. That contrast is what people are usually buying when they ask for white moonstone, and it is why this stone is recorded differently from the rest of the group.

Size and the sheen

Adularescence — the drifting glow moonstone is known for — comes from light scattering between microscopically thin layers inside the feldspar. It is angle-dependent, appearing and fading as the stone turns. At nearly 18 carat the dome is broad enough that the sheen is easy to find rather than something you have to hunt for, which is not true of the small stones in this category.

Setting it

A stone of this weight suits a pendant or a bold cocktail ring. Moonstone sits at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, softer than quartz, so a protective bezel serves it far better than claws — a bezel guards the girdle, which is where the cleavage runs. For a daily-wear ring, something in the 5 to 7 carat range from this same collection will take the knocks better.

Origin, rate and care

Recorded as a Ceylon stone. At Rs. 696 per carat it sits slightly above the middle of our range, which runs from about Rs. 481 to Rs. 776 per carat across the collection. Clean it with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth only. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no bleach, and store it away from harder stones.

Treatment has not been tested on this stone, so we say so rather than claiming it is untreated. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet — ask and we will measure before you commit.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moonstone with a weight of 17.8 Carat. Its price is Rs. 12,380 — roughly Rs. 696 for each carat. Origin: Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000417 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale moonstone rates 6 to 6.5. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy moonstone from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every moonstone for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Moonstone is usually untreated. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.