46.54 Ct. Cabochon Moonstone from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the riverbeds and hill slopes of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, to the careful palms of cutters and polishers, this moonstone carries with it a lineage of earth and human craft. Formed over millennia as layers of feldspar slowly interleaved, this gem was once part of a quiet geological conversation between heat, pressure, and time. Local miners, whose families have worked these deposits for generations, recognized the subtle glow of moonstone in the rough by touch and by light. They extracted this piece alongside other gems, cleaning away the clay and sand, until the brown translucence began to reveal its inner character. In Sri Lanka moonstone has long been cherished for more than its beauty, it is woven into stories of protection and intuition that travel through households and markets alike. When The Natural Gemstone Company first saw this rough, the team felt an immediate connection, an invitation to honor both the origin and the potential within.

This particular stone is a beautiful translucent brown moonstone, 46.54 carat in weight, shaped into an elegant oval, measuring 30.12 by 21.08 by 10.89 millimeters. It has been given a cabochon cut, a form that respects the gem s natural layers and coax the soft, internal sheen to the surface. Evaluated at eye level the clarity grade is very slightly included, a sign that the gem is essentially pure to the observer while retaining the tiny natural fingerprints that attest to its journey under the earth. The color intensity is vivid, a warm brown that shifts subtly as light moves across its surface, and the polish has been finished to an excellent grade, leaving a satin mirror that invites touch and gaze. There has been no enhancement, the stone is completely natural, untouched by heating or dyeing, and its qualities are the honest product of its formation in Ceylon s soils and its careful shaping by human hands.

The crafting of this moonstone was an act of listening and restraint, a process that honored the stone s origin and character rather than imposing a new identity upon it. After selection by our sourcing team, the rough piece was studied for orientation, the laminations examined to determine how the adularescence would best present itself. Our master cutters placed the axis to complement the oval silhouette, creating a cabochon profile that amplifies the inner glow with every movement. Grinding and smoothing proceeded in stages, each pass removing only what was necessary, until the basic form emerged. The final polishing was done with a soft felt and a fine abrasive, coaxing the surface to an excellent finish without overworking the material. At every step craftspeople from The Natural Gemstone Company kept in mind both durability and beauty, respecting the gem s translucence and very slight inclusions, making sure the end result felt organic to its origin in Ceylon while refined for contemporary wear.

Imagine this moonstone set into a ring that catches candlelight, a pendant that rests against the heart, or a brooch that becomes a talisman of quiet presence. The oval cabochon shape lends itself to classic and modern settings alike, pairing beautifully with warm metals that echo its brown tones, as well as with white metals for a striking contrast. Because it is translucent and shows a vivid color intensity, settings that allow light to play through the gem will reveal its depth and sheen most effectively. Care is simple, cherish it with gentle cleaning in warm soapy water, avoid harsh chemicals and abrupt knocks, and store it with soft cloth to preserve the excellent polish. If you seek a bespoke setting or guidance on pairing this stone with other gems, The Natural Gemstone Company offers consultation and custom design, ensuring the final piece reflects both the moonstone s ancient story and your personal narrative. Owning this gem is an invitation to carry a fragment of Sri Lanka s geology and culture with you, a small but eloquent witness to the passage of time, crafted hands, and the quiet luminous beauty that draws us to the earth.