Rainbow Moonstone: Not a Moonstone, But Still Magical

If you’ve ever held a true Rainbow Moonstone up to the light, you know it’s pure magic. It flashes, it shimmers, it throws out colors like a tiny crystal aurora. But here’s the kicker—it’s not actually Moonstone.

Yep. Misleading name alert. Let’s unpack this little identity crisis.

So, What is Rainbow Moonstone?

Technically speaking, Rainbow Moonstone is not Moonstone at all. The classic moonstone belongs to the Orthoclase branch of the Feldspar family. Rainbow Moonstone, on the other hand, is a type of Labradorite, which is also a Feldspar—but from the Plagioclase side of the family tree.

Confusing? Definitely. But also totally forgivable, because Feldspar is a huge, complicated mineral group with overlapping visual traits. And to be fair, Rainbow Moonstone does share some aesthetic qualities with true moonstone—like that soft bodycolor and faceted transparency.

But make no mistake—once you see one, you know there’s something different going on here.

Found in Southern India, Full of Surprise

The variety we now call Rainbow Moonstone first made its appearance a couple of decades ago, discovered in southern India. Right away, gem experts realized this wasn’t your typical orthoclase moonstone—it had a different internal structure, and more importantly, a way more dramatic play of color.

This gem is a visual hybrid: it has the clarity and delicate look of faceted moonstone, but the flash is pure Labradorite—a full-on spectral light show. Think gold, green, blue, violet... sometimes all at once. It’s the kind of gemstone that makes people stop and say, “Wait, what is that?”

Moonstone vs. Labradorite: The Glow Factor

Traditional moonstone is known for its adularescence, that soft, silvery glow that seems to float inside the stone, usually in bluish or white tones. Rainbow Moonstone doesn’t do that—it skips the subtle and goes straight for the spectral fireworks.

Why? Because the internal structure of labradorite scatters light differently, creating what’s called labradorescence—an iridescent optical effect that reflects different colors at different angles. When you combine that structure with the translucent clarity found in this unique Indian variety, you get something truly mesmerizing.

So Should We Rename It?

Well, maybe. But at this point, “Rainbow Moonstone” has stuck, and let’s be honest—it sounds pretty. So while it’s not technically correct, it’s widely accepted in the trade and among collectors.

Just know that when you’re buying or admiring a Rainbow Moonstone, you’re really looking at a very special kind of Labradorite—a gem with the best of both worlds: moonstone’s delicate beauty and labradorite’s explosive color.