moonstone
a gem variety of orthoclase or albite that is white and translucent with bluish reflections
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
moonstone
[′mün‚stōn] (mineralogy)
An alkali feldspar or cryptoperthite that is semitransparent to translucent and exhibits a bluish to milky-white, pearly, or opaline luster; used as a gemstone if flawless. Also known as hecatolite.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
moonstone
June alternate birthstone. [Am. Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 319]
moonstone
wrested by an English officer from Buddhist priests, who place a curse on all who possess it. [Br. Lit.: Collins The Moonstone in Benét, 683]
moonstone
sacred stone; brings good fortune. [Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 97–98]
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Moonstone
a semitransparent variety of orthoclase (adularia) and sometimes plagioclase (albite or oligoclase). Moonstone displays a bluish iridescence. It is occasionally found in pegmatites or alpine-type veins. It is used as a decorative stone for insets and small ornaments. The best moonstone with respect to quality and color is found in Sri Lanka; in the USSR it is found in the pegmatite veins of Karelia.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.