Rainbow Moonstone (India) Meaning, Metaphysical Energy & Geology

“Rainbow moonstone” is widely used in the jewelry trade, but the mineral identity deserves precision.

What the report found: The tested sample is intermediate plagioclase, likely andesine to labradorite. The lab did not observe orthoclase or microcline.

Orthoclase is potassium feldspar; labradorite is a member of the plagioclase feldspar series. The report places this sample in the andesine-to-labradorite range rather than assigning a precise species. The rainbow moonstone trade name remains useful for recognition, while the tested mineral identity is more specific.

Related entries: White Labradorite (India)

View the original report

Select a page to enlarge it. The text transcript below provides another way to read the findings.

Understanding the report figures

Use this guide alongside the written findings and the original report transcript. It explains the purpose of each analytical figure and preserves the laboratory’s own figure labels. The interpretations apply to the tested specimen; signals alone do not establish the identity of every similar-looking stone.

Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 1: Backscattered electron image (area 1)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 2: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 1. (plagioclase, likely andesine to labradorite)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 1. (quartz)
Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 4: Backscattered electron image (area 2)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4. (plagioclase, likely andesine to labradorite)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (likely a chlorite group mineral)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (epidote, with some titanite)
Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 8: Backscattered electron image (area 3)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 9: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 5. (epidote)
Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 10: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 5. (titanite)

Read the report as text

Transcript of the analytical report, including the figure descriptions and findings. The original pages above preserve the visual evidence and tables.

                                                  Analytical Result Report

Sample id: 9145 (rainbow moonstone)
Submitted by: K.Bitner
Date submitted: July 31, 2020
Date completed: August 4, 2020
Operating conditions: JEOL JSM-6400 operated at 25 kV acceleration potential, 15 mm working distance, 15 degrees
sample tilt, coated with 250 Å carbon. Using the X-ray fluorescence attachment with 35kv potental in conjunction with
the EDS system.




Fig. 1: Backscattered electron image (area 1)




Fig. 2: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 1. (plagioclase, likely andesine to labradorite)
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 1. (quartz)




Fig. 4: Backscattered electron image (area 2)




Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4. (plagioclase, likely andesine to labradorite)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (likely a chlorite group mineral)




Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (epidote, with some titanite)




Fig. 8: Backscattered electron image (area 3)
Fig. 9: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 5. (epidote)




                                                                                  )

Fig. 10: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 5. (titanite)




Summary of findings: This is a complex specimen! It is composed of an intermediate plagioclase, likely in the
compositional range of andesine to labradorite (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5). Quartz is present (Figs. 1 and 3) and an interesting
assemblage with chlorite group species (Figs. 4 and 6), epidote (Figs. 4.7.and 8-9), and titanite (Figs. 8 and 10). The
chlorite group species are likely replacing an earlier mineral. Potassium feldspar such as orthoclase or microcline where
not seen in the investigation.




Date: August 4 ,2020                          Signature