A 4.85 carat moonstone from Africa — 5.33 ratti — at Rs. 3,380, about Rs. 697 per carat. Its body colour is recorded as soft pink, which makes it one of only four stones in this collection with a recorded body colour other than grey.

Pink moonstone

Pink feldspar of this kind owes its tone to fine inclusions and to trace elements caught in the crystal as it grew, and in moonstone the colour is almost always gentle rather than saturated. That is the honest expectation to set: a soft blush running through a translucent body, not a vivid pink. Anyone selling you a strongly coloured pink moonstone is probably selling you dyed material or something that is not moonstone at all.

How the colour and the shimmer interact

A tinted body changes what the sheen looks like. On a neutral grey stone the glow reads cool; over a warm pink body the same optical effect takes on a softer, creamier cast. Neither is better — it is a question of what you want the stone to sit next to. Pink moonstone works particularly well in rose gold and in warm-toned settings, where a grey stone can look flat.

Size and setting

Just under five carat is a small, practical ring stone. The shimmer on a dome this size is a flicker as the stone passes the right angle rather than a slow wash, which is simply what small cabochons do. In exchange it sits low, clears sleeves and door handles, and takes daily wear more easily than a large stone — worth having for a mineral that is only 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

Care

Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no bleach or ammonia, and no prolonged sunlight if the stone is ever treated or dyed material, which is a good general habit with pale coloured stones. Moonstone has good cleavage, so protect the girdle with a bezel and store the piece away from harder stones.

Recorded as an African stone. Treatment has not been tested on this piece, which we record rather than calling it untreated. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet — ask us and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moonstone with a weight of 4.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 697 for each carat. Origin: Africa. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000421 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

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.