Why Moonstone Glows | Gem Pursuit | Episode 128

About this episode

Why does moonstone look as though a little cloud of light is moving inside it? Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi explore adularescence, the cuts and carvings that bring it out, and what makes a good moonstone. Fenia recalls her first ring, bought in Crete, and shares the story of a Lalique bat ring given by Liane de Pougy to Natalie Clifford Barney. We also look at moonstone's romantic folklore, its place in Art Nouveau jewellery, the trade name rainbow moonstone and Matthew's buying advice. Stay for a moon-themed round of Gem Trivial Pursuit. CHAPTERS 00:00 Moonstone and its moving glow 00:47 Fenia's first moonstone ring 02:59 Feldspar and adularescence 05:45 What is a gem phenomenon? 07:44 Hardness and carved moonstones 09:19 Moonstone's name and sources 11:15 Jewellery history and folklore 15:31 Moonstone and Art Nouveau 17:35 What affects moonstone's value? 21:11 What is rainbow moonstone? 22:08 Lalique's bat ring and a love token 25:26 Matthew's favourite moonstone jewellery 26:44 Advice for buyers and new dealers 28:53 Gem Trivial Pursuit 37:37 Follow the show and closing credits RESOURCES Moonstone, GIA: https://www.gia.edu/moonstone-description Quality factors: https://www.gia.edu/moonstone-quality-factor Care and cleaning: https://www.gia.edu/moonstone-care-cleaning Lalique bat ring, Musée des Arts Décoratifs: https://collections.madparis.fr/document/bague/627a8be93edd95462247e72f?pos=4 COURTVILLE & GEM PURSUIT Courtville Antiques: https://www.courtville.ie Gem Pursuit: https://gempursuit.com Instagram: @gempursuitpod and @courtvilleantiques TikTok: @matthew.weldon Questions: info@gempursuit.com Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. CREDITS Hosted by Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi. Research: Veronique Goguen. Videography: Colin Weldon. Producer: Ross Hannon, Tape Deck. This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck. IMAGE CREDITS Moonstone ring photograph: CGJewelry, CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted with layout and text. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bezel_set_Moonstone_Ring_in_Yellow_Gold.jpg Blue moonstone photograph: Gemsphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted with layout and explanatory text. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natural_Blue_Moonstone_loose_gemstone.jpg Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/