A 9.65 carat moonstone from Africa — 10.60 ratti — at Rs. 7,130, about Rs. 739 per carat. Its body is recorded as translucent brown, which makes it one of only four stones in this collection with a body colour other than grey on record.

Brown moonstone

Moonstone is not a single material but a family of feldspars, and the body can run from near-colourless through grey to warm earthy tones depending on trace iron and on how the two feldspar phases separated as the rock cooled. Brown material is less fashionable than the pale varieties, which generally means it is better value for the weight, and it suits warm metals and heavier, more masculine settings far better than a pale stone does.

Translucency is the thing to judge

With a coloured body, translucency matters more than it does in a white stone. A brown moonstone that passes light has depth and shows its sheen; one that is merely opaque looks like a pebble. This piece is recorded as translucent, so light moves through the body rather than stopping at the surface. Hold it against a lamp and you should see the glow sitting inside the stone rather than on top of it.

Size and rate

At nearly ten carat this has real presence — large enough for a substantial ring or a pendant, and enough dome for the sheen to travel properly. The rate of Rs. 739 per carat sits toward the top of our collection, which runs from roughly Rs. 481 to Rs. 776 per carat.

Care

Moonstone sits at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and has good cleavage, so knocks are the real hazard. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth only — never an ultrasonic cleaner, steam, bleach or ammonia. Store it separately from harder stones, and have it bezel-set rather than clawed if it is going into a ring.

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

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moonstone with a weight of 9.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 7,130 — roughly Rs. 739 for each carat. Origin: Africa. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000427 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.