A Guide to Moonstone Engagement Rings

Moonstone- the Mystical birthstone for June, taking name from its “moonshine” shimmer. Although it is commonly recognised for its iridescent colourings, most people don’t realise it’s not limited to this colour. It can also be sourced in white, blue, yellow and green tones.  It is a mesmerising gemstone, that is said to link to the moon and carries connotations of new beginnings and intuition. The depth of its meaning is making it an increasingly popular feature in jewellery.

Incorporating a moonstone in your bespoke engagement ring is a more unusual but charming choice. Although often used in dress jewellery pieces, fine moonstone is a valuable stone worthy of such an important occasion, especially for your special person who has an alternative style.  Maybe they’re interested in galaxies, skies, fantasy worlds or the energy a gemstone can offer. It might even be possible your partner already has their eye on it, adoring it for its symbolism and sentiment, and has dropped some hints towards this choice.

So you may find yourself in the predicament- How do I include it in my design?

The luminescent moonstone is chosen more often in softer, round or oval shapes, in a cabochon cut (smooth and domed like a pebble), which suits it perfectly given its namesake and meaning. With that in mind, we have often designed them in bands with lots of delicate twists and wave-like shapes, uniting the natural or celestial theme like that in Danielle’s music themed engagement ring.  A white metal- white gold, platinum, and silver- are frequently the metal of choice as it complements the cooler hues of the gemstone.

However… this galaxy inspired engagement ring set in Fairtrade 9ct rose gold is a great example of how to stray from the norm and create something incredible!

It’s amazing to see the versatility in colours and how different they can appear in varying metal types and when paired with other gemstones. In another more rare design style, you could include a faceted moonstone which will offer a different perception of the colours. This unique look then pairs nicely with other lighter-coloured, faceted gemstones such as a diamond or a lighter-coloured sapphire. Here are some striking examples of  facetted moonstones in use:

An oval moonstone with diamonds in a twisting white metal.

An emerald cut moonstone in yellow gold also with diamonds.

When it comes to featuring this exceptional gemstone, it is important to think of the practicality of it, especially as engagement rings are usually worn every day.  Moonstone is a softer stone, which means it is vulnerable for chips and scuffs, so it is best to have a more secure setting. This would be an all-around setting, or corner setting which offer a bit more safety than claws would…although these settings will not make it 100% indestructible. With that in mind, a common misconception is that a smaller moonstone will be harder to damage, this is not the case. Regardless of size, be it the larger focal point of the ring, or smaller with other gemstones, it is just as vulnerable and must be taken care of properly. The best way to do this is to remove the ring for manual activities- gardening, dishes, going to the gym- anything that could dent or wear the stone. Natural wear is bound to happen though, especially with the cabochon “domed” stone that protrudes from the setting. However, we can give it a little TLC and a re-polish to restore the original shine. As long as you and your partner know the best way to keep it safe, it is sure to be the perfect choice that you can make truly unique to them.

No matter the inspiration, our designers will listen and work with you to create your own perfect sentimental moonstone engagement ring.