How Much Is Moonstone Worth?
Most moonstone is inexpensive. Plain milky-white cabochons sell for about $5–$40, so moonstone is generally an affordable gem rather than an expensive one. The exception is fine 'blue moonstone', a transparent, colorless stone with a vivid floating blue sheen, which reaches $50–$500+ per carat and more in large clean sizes. In between, good blue-sheen cabochons run $30–$200, and multicolor 'rainbow moonstone' (technically a labradorite) runs about $15–$120. The GIA identifies the most valuable moonstone as a near-colorless, semi-transparent-to-transparent body showing a vivid, well-centered blue adularescence that stays visible across a wide range of angles; bodycolor, sheen color, and sheen orientation are the three factors buyers judge. Because plain material is abundant worldwide, clarity (the GIA notes the typical flaw is fine 'centipede' tension cracks), a well-proportioned cabochon, and large size are what push a stone from a few dollars toward the hundreds-per-carat top of the market. Cheap glass and man-made 'opalite' imitations are common, so the mark of fine natural moonstone is a directional blue glow from inside a clear body, not a flat milky surface shimmer.
Check your specific Moonstone
Upload a photo for an instant ID — then unlock its estimated value and an authenticity check.
Moonstone value by type
| Type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Milky white cabochons | $5 – $40 |
| Peach / gray cabochons | $8 – $60 |
| Rainbow moonstone (labradorite) | $15 – $120 |
| Good blue-sheen cabochons | $30 – $200 |
| Fine transparent blue (per ct) | $50 – $500+/ct |
| Large fine blue gem (5 ct+) | $500 – $2,000+ |
Educational ballparks for typical specimens — not a formal appraisal.
Prices reviewed July 2026.
What drives Moonstone value
- Sheen color & strength. A vivid blue adularescence is the #1 driver; the GIA ranks blue sheen above the more common silver, white, and rainbow flash.
- Body color & clarity. The GIA's finest is near-colorless and semi-transparent; yellow, brown, or green tints and internal 'centipede' tension cracks pull value down.
- Sheen orientation. The GIA notes the sheen must sit centered on the cabochon and stay visible from many angles — a glow that only appears within a narrow viewing range drops value sharply.
- Cut & proportion. A well-domed cabochon maximizes the moving glow; the GIA notes very flat cabochons show sheen poorly and are worth little.
- Size. Large, clean stones with strong blue sheen are rare and exponentially pricier — the GIA notes fine large material has become scarce.
Is your Moonstone real?
Glass and 'opalite' (a milky man-made glass) are frequently sold as moonstone. Genuine moonstone is feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5) and shows an internal, directional blue schiller that shifts with angle; opalite/glass shows a flat surface glow, is often too clean, and may contain round bubbles.
Full Moonstone real-or-fake guide & at-home tests →FAQ
- How much is moonstone worth?
- Common milky-white moonstone runs about $5–$40, good blue-sheen cabochons $30–$200, and fine transparent 'blue moonstone' $50–$500+ per carat — with large, clean gem stones going higher. Most moonstone you'll come across sits at the affordable end.
- Is moonstone expensive?
- Generally no — most moonstone is an inexpensive gem ($5–$40). Only fine 'blue moonstone' — a transparent, colorless body with a vivid floating blue sheen — is expensive, reaching hundreds of dollars per carat.
- What is the most valuable moonstone?
- Per the GIA, the most valuable moonstone has a near-colorless, semi-transparent body with a vivid, well-centered blue adularescence visible from many angles — the classic 'blue moonstone,' historically from Sri Lanka.
- Is rainbow moonstone valuable?
- Rainbow moonstone (technically a labradorite) is popular but usually modest — roughly $15–$120 for cabochons — valued for its multicolor flash rather than the prized blue sheen of true blue moonstone.
- Is my moonstone real or opalite?
- Real moonstone shows a directional blue glow from within that moves with angle; opalite (glass) has a flat, even milky surface glow and may show round bubbles.