Moonstone vs Opal: Price, Appearance, Color, Luster, Meaning, Healing

Moonstone and opal are both beautiful gemstones with unique characteristics. While opal is known for its vibrant hues, moonstone is known for its subtle sophistication and luminous glow.

Although their opalescent qualities may look physically similar, there are still notable differences between these two stones.

Moonstone vs Opal

1. Moonstone vs Opal: Price

Moonstones are worth less than opals, although that depends on the hue.

Moonstones may range lower in price from $5 to $50 per carat and are much less expensive on average. While larger, higher-quality moonstones are more valuable than smaller ones, it's easier to find moonstones that are smaller in carat weight.

The most expensive moonstones are colorless and feature a blue sheen (sometimes called a "schiller") that appears to float just above the stone.

The most valuable opals are black opals, which are a striking contrast from their typical milky white coloring, and they can range from $50 to $10,000 per carat.

2. Moonstone vs Opal: Physical Appearance

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Moonstones are opalescent and may be colorless or come in several hues, such as blue, gray, white, orange, green, black, brown or rainbow.

They have a pearly hue and also retain adularescence qualities. This means they create a natural optical effect similar to the shimmery appearance of the moon.

Opal is a mix of water and silica that reflects many colors and can be white, black, blue, or gray.

Moonstone vs Opal: Price, Appearance, Color, Luster, Meaning, Healing Properties

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3. Moonstone vs Opal: Color

No two opals are alike, and they possess an endless variety of hues. Meanwhile, moonstones are generally clear or white. Some opals are transparent and exhibit a more brilliant play of colors.

The layered structure of the moonstone creates an internal shimmery effect. It has a translucent to milky white color (called adularescence) that may turn blue depending on the quality of the stone and the angle at which you are viewing it.

4. Moonstone vs Opal: Luster

Both opal and moonstone have a pearly luster, but they achieve this look through different optical phenomena.

Moonstones have a milky sheen that is called "adularescence." This phenomenon is caused by light scattering within the stone's structure. When viewed from different angles, the light plays across the surface of the moonstone, creating a shimmery effect.

Opals have a milky, pearly luster called "opalescence." Opalescence occurs when light diffracts through the tiny spheres of silica that make an opal. Their reflection can appear shiny, almost greasy, at times.

5. Moonstone vs Opal: Hardness and Durability

Moonstone has a relatively low score on the hardness scale. Moonstones measure between 6-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them relatively soft in the world of gemology.

In general, moonstones are hard enough for daily wear as long as the wearer is careful. If breakage is a concern, consider jewelry with a protective setting, like a bezel or halo setting.

Opal is rated 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale. Compared to moonstones, the opal is slightly softer and more delicate, especially due to its water content. It requires careful handling.

6. Moonstone vs Opal as a Birthstone

The moonstone is one of the three June birthstones, the other two being pearls and alexandrite. It is often associated with love, passion, new beginnings, intuition, and inner growth.

Opal is the traditional birthstone for October, sharing the month with tourmaline. It is associated with creativity, inspiration, and transformation.

7. Moonstone vs Opal: Meanings and Symbolism

The Ancient Greeks and Romans associated moonstones with mystery, passion, feminine energy, and the changing seasons. Throughout the centuries, travelers have also relied on moonstone talismans for protection during long voyages.

Nowadays as a June birthstone, it is often associated with love, passion, new beginnings, intuition, and inner growth.

Opal is associated with creativity, inspiration, and transformation. It is believed to enhance imagination and bring about positive changes.

8. Moonstone vs Opal: Healing Properties

Moonstones, often associated with femininity and referred to as the 'stone of Mother Earth', have unique healing properties that pique interest. They are related to the various stages of a woman's life, from childhood to menopause, and are beneficial throughout all cycles of the female reproductive system.

This unique connection to the female body and its ability to encourage milk supply production for nursing mothers make moonstones perfect gifts for women.

In general, moonstone can help you maintain a balance between the emotional and physical parts of your life. It can also help those suffering from premenstrual disorders. On the physical level, it can stimulate the circulatory system, aiding digestion and constipation.

Wearing moonstone can also benefit children who are restless and need help balancing their energy. Moonstone can also help those who find it difficult to control their emotions and struggle with impulsivity.

Opals are a stone of protection that amplifies emotions while releasing negative blockages. They easily intercept surrounding negative energy. Opals reflect the state of mind of the wearer. An energetic person may revive their stone's color, while sadness or worry may darken it.

When worn, opal neutralizes infection while reducing digestive disorders and acid reflux. It may be helpful for those who have bladder or kidney issues, allergies, liver problems, tumors and gallstones.

Opal can help you maintain composure without letting your emotions cloud your judgment. It encourages confidence in shy people and activates restful sleep, good dreams and intuition. Opal is purifying and can protect the mind from negative energy.