The LENA pendant frames a Rainbow Moonstone in 925 silver with a handcrafted crescent moon setting. The stone is translucent: when moved under the light, a bluish and multicolored flash seems to float within it — the optical phenomenon called adularescence, characteristic of feldspars with a layered structure. At 27×14×7 mm for the complete piece, the LENA balances presence and discretion in an everyday pendant.
The Rainbow Moonstone: Feldspar with Multicolor Adularescence
Rainbow Moonstone is a variety of plagioclase feldspar (labradorite) characterized by its translucency and the optical phenomenon known as adularescence: a luminous flash — usually blue, white, or multicolored — that appears to move within the stone when it is turned under the light.
The effect occurs because the stone is composed of alternating layers of labradorite and albite, two varieties of feldspar with slightly different refractive indices. When light enters the stone, these layers diffract it differently depending on the angle of incidence, generating optical interference. In the "rainbow" variety, the layers are especially thin and numerous, which broadens the spectrum of visible colors — from deep blue to golden and pink tones — and makes the effect particularly vivid.
Unlike the superficial effects of opaque iridescent stones, the adularescence of Moonstone occurs within the mineral. The translucency of the stone allows the flash to be seen at different depths depending on the angle, giving it that changing character that distinguishes it from any imitation.
-
Classification: Plagioclase feldspar (labradorite variety)
-
Formula: (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)AlSi₂O₈ — sodium, calcium, and aluminum silicate
-
Crystal system: Triclinic
-
Mohs hardness: 6–6.5
-
Optical effect: Adularescence (multicolored labradorite in rainbow variety)
-
Common provenance: India (Rajasthan, Orissa), Sri Lanka, Madagascar
LENA Design: Crescent Moon in 925 Silver
The LENA pendant setting is shaped like a crescent moon handcrafted from 925 silver. The curved profile embraces the stone laterally, leaving the main face free and unobstructed so that the adularescence is the sole protagonist. The setting is bezel-type — the silver runs along the perimeter of the stone with a low rim that anchors it without covering it.
The silver finish combines a matte interior in the setting's inner areas with a slight polish on the outer edge, creating a subtle contrast that defines the moon's silhouette without adding ornamentation. The top bail, proportionate to the setting, accommodates chains up to 3 mm thick and allows for changing the chain without altering the pendant.
A 45 cm stainless steel chain is included with the order.
Specifications
-
Piece dimensions: 27 × 14 × 7 mm (complete pendant, including bail)
-
Metal: 925 Silver (sterling silver)
-
Stone: Rainbow Moonstone — translucent plagioclase feldspar
-
Optical effect: Multicolor adularescence
-
Silver finish: Matte interior / polished exterior
-
Chain included: Stainless steel, 45 cm
-
Treatment: No treatment
-
Type of piece: Unique piece — adularescence varies from stone to stone
History and Cultural Significance
Moonstone has been linked for millennia to cultures that observed the moon's cycles. In India, it was considered sacred and used in amulets and ceremonial jewelry since antiquity. In Rome, Pliny the Elder described it in the 1st century AD and associated it with the goddess Selene, noting that its inner glow changed with the lunar phases. Jewelers of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th century adopted it massively — René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany incorporated it into metalwork pieces precisely because of that luminous quality that no other gem could reproduce.
In the contemporary crystal tradition, Moonstone is associated with intuition, new beginnings, and life cycles. The rainbow variety, in particular, is linked to the expansion of perspective: the way the same object can display completely different colors depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The LENA pendant combines the symbol of the crescent moon — a phase of initiation and growth in most lunar traditions — with a stone whose visual character has been linked to the moon throughout history.
Shared as cultural and historical references, not as medical advice.
How to Recognize Genuine Rainbow Moonstone
Genuine Rainbow Moonstone is translucent to semi-transparent — when held to the light, it transmits diffuse light with a soft glow. Adularescence is visible in motion; it is not a fixed color of the stone. A glass or resin imitation may have superficial iridescence, but it lacks the depth of the internal effect and does not transmit the same light. Under magnification, the edges of the genuine mineral show the characteristic lamellar cleavage of feldspars.
Care for your LENA pendant
-
Store the piece in its individual pouch or box. Moonstone has a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5 and can be scratched by harder objects (keys, other jewelry) if stored with them.
-
Avoid contact with chemicals. Perfumes, creams, alcohol, and cleaning products can alter the silver's finish and, over time, affect the stone's surface. Apply them before putting on the pendant.
-
No water. Remove the pendant before showering, swimming, or exercising. Sweat and chlorine accelerate the oxidation of sterling silver.
-
Cleaning. Use a dry microfiber cloth on the stone. To restore the silver's shine, use a specific jewelry polishing cloth. Do not submerge in liquids.
-
Sleeping. Remove it before going to bed to avoid accidental pressure on the setting.
The spiritual and symbolic associations of crystals are part of a cultural tradition. They do not constitute medical advice or replace any professional treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the adularescence of this Rainbow Moonstone?
Adularescence is an internal optical effect produced by the interference of light between alternating layers of labradorite and albite — two varieties of feldspar — within the mineral. In the rainbow variety, these layers are finer and generate a spectrum of color that can include blue, white, gold, and pink depending on the angle of the light. The flash appears to float beneath the surface because it occurs within the mineral, not on its external face. It is a verifiable physical phenomenon, not a treatment or surface effect.
Does Rainbow Moonstone have any treatment?
No treatment. The adularescence and color of the stone are inherent to the mineral in its natural state. No dye, resin, or thermal treatment is applied to alter its optical properties. This statement is based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
What are the exact dimensions of the pendant?
The indicated dimensions — 27 × 14 × 7 mm — correspond to the complete pendant, including the top bail. The 45 cm stainless steel chain is not included in this measurement. The dimensions are approximate with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm due to it being a handcrafted piece.
Does 925 silver darken with use?
Yes. Sterling silver develops a dark patina (oxidation) over time due to reaction with sulfur in the air, sweat, and cosmetics. This is a natural process that is slowed down by storing the pendant in a sealed pouch and avoiding contact with water and perfumes. A specific silver polishing cloth restores the original shine in minutes without the need for abrasive products.
Can I use a different chain than the one included?
Yes. The LENA pendant's bail accommodates chains up to 3 mm thick. The included 45 cm stainless steel chain is standard; if you prefer one in 925 silver or a different length, you can change it with any conventional jewelry chain of those dimensions.
Why does the Moonstone's flash change depending on the angle?
Because adularescence is an optical interference effect — it depends on the angle at which light enters the internal layers of the mineral. Each layer refracts light differently, and when you move the stone, the angle changes, and with it, the colors that are amplified by constructive interference. It's the same principle that makes the wings of certain butterflies or soap bubbles iridescent, but occurring within a solid and semi-transparent mineral.
Is it suitable for people with metal sensitivities?
925 silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy — usually copper. People with nickel sensitivity generally tolerate 925 silver well, but if you frequently react to metals, consult your dermatologist before wearing it in prolonged contact with skin. The included chain is made of hypoallergenic stainless steel.
Consult our complete jewelry care guide and explore our collection of handmade silver pendants.
