Moonstone vs Labradorite
Moonstone and Labradorite are easy to confuse. Here’s how they stack up on the properties that actually separate them.
| Moonstone | Labradorite | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | White, Clear | Gray, Blue, Green |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 6–6.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to pearly (adularescent) | Vitreous to pearly on cleavages |
| Streak | White | White |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic | Triclinic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Translucent to transparent |
| Cleavage | Perfect | Perfect on {001}, less perfect on {010}, intersecting at near 90°; distinct on {110} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven | Uneven to conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | (K,Na)AlSi₃O₈ | (Ca,Na)(Al,Si) 4 O 8 (Na:Ca = 30:70 to 50:50) |
| Specific gravity | 2.55–2.61 | 2.68 to 2.72 |
| Typical value | — | $7–$27 a raw piece |
Value = estimate only (gems priced per carat from price guides; common stones from recent eBay sold listings). See each stone's page and our methodology.
Read the full guides
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest way to tell Moonstone from Labradorite?
Compare lustre, streak and crystal habit side by side — colour alone won't settle it.