Grey Moonstone Cabochon Value Guide

This polished oval grey moonstone cabochon is a quintessential example of early 20th-century Sri Lankan craftsmanship, dating from 1900 to 1930. Its historical significance is rooted in the Art Nouveau movement, where its ethereal glow was prized for its mystical associations with lunar deities and intuition.

What Is Grey Moonstone Cabochon Worth?

The typical price range for Grey Moonstone Cabochon is $450 - $490 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The strength and clarity of the adularescence, or 'glow,' significantly impacts the $450-$490 price range.
• The quality of the polish and the symmetry of the oval cabochon cut are critical for collector value.
• Provenance linking the stone to the Art Nouveau period or specific Sri Lankan mines can enhance its market desirability.
• The absence of surface-reaching fractures or chips preserves the integrity and value of the gemstone.

How to Identify Grey Moonstone Cabochon?

• Look for the characteristic adularescence, a billowy light effect that appears to move across the surface of the grey stone.
• Verify the oval cabochon cut, which was the preferred shape for maximizing the stone's optical properties during the 1900-1930 era.
• Examine the stone for the specific smoky-grey body color unique to high-quality Sri Lankan moonstone deposits.
• Check for natural inclusions typical of genuine moonstone, which distinguish it from synthetic glass imitations like opalite.

History of Grey Moonstone Cabochon

Moonstone has been revered for centuries, particularly in ancient Rome and India, where it was associated with lunar deities. It was believed to be solidified moonbeams and was often used in jewelry for its mystical properties, thought to bring good luck and enhance intuition. Its popularity peaked during the Art Nouveau period, when designers utilized its ethereal glow in their intricate creations.