The main difference between peach moonstone and sunstone is that peach moonstone contains aluminum silicate feldspar, while sunstone contains red copper, hematite, and goethite. Due to this composition, peach moonstone has a soft and gentle adularescent glow, while sunstone shows a distinct aventurescence.
Peach moonstone and sunstone are two gemstones with a similar colors. Both are members of the feldspar group and are famous for their healing and spiritual properties.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Peach Moonstone
– Definition, Features
2. What is Sunstone
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Peach Moonstone and Sunstone
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Peach Moonstone, Sunstone
What is Peach Moonstone
Peach Moonstone is a variety of moonstone that has a unique color. It’s tan brown to a very light peach/pink color. These colors are easy to detect under direct sunlight. The chemical composition of peach moonstone is aluminum silicate feldspar. A high content of aluminum in the feldspar results in this unique color. Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and India are some of the main sources of peach moonstones.
When considering its properties, it has a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale hardness. It has a specific gravity of 2.56 – 2.60. Peach moonstone is opalescent and has a monoclinic crystal system. Peach moonstone is believed to help in the healing of emotional, mental, and physical injuries. Some people believe that these crystals help to calm the mind. Some also believe it to be a guardian stone providing protection from impending harm. It’s also connected to divine feminine energy.
What is Sunstone
Sunstone is a feldspar crystal that exhibits a spangled appearance when viewed from certain directions. This crystal is often available in warm shades of red, gold, orange, and brown and has a translucent appearance. The inclusions of red copper, hematite, or goethite in sunstone help it to refract light and create iridescence when viewing it from different angles. These inclusions create an optical effect that is called “aventurescence.”
Sunstone was not a popular gemstone until recent times. The first stones to be called “sunstone” due to their aventurescence were specimens of oligoclase feldspar. Later, other feldspar types with strong aventurescence were discovered. Labradorite feldspar and orthoclase feldspar are two such feldspar varieties with strong aventurescence. The United States, Southern Norway, Sweden, and South Australia are regions that are rich in sunstone.
When considering the properties of sunstone, it has a hardness of 6.0–6.5 on the Mohs scale hardness. Moreover, it has a specific gravity of 2.64–2.66, and its refractive index is 1.5. It’s also transparent to translucent and opaque.
Difference Between Peach Moonstone and Sunstone
Definition
Peach moonstone is a variety of moonstone that has a unique peach color, while Sunstone is a feldspar crystal that exhibits a spangled appearance when viewed from certain directions.
Color
The color of peach moonstone may range from tan brown to a very light peach/pink, while the color of sunstone range from warm shades of red, gold, or orange, to brown.
Composition
Peach moonstone contains aluminum silicate feldspar, while sunstone contains red copper, hematite, and goethite.
Aventurescenc
Peach moonstone has a soft and gentle adularescent glow, while sunstone shows a distinct aventurescence.
Conclusion
The main difference between peach moonstone and sunstone is that peach moonstone contains aluminum silicate feldspar, while sunstone contains red copper, hematite, and goethite. Therefore, peach moonstone has a soft and gentle adularescent glow, while sunstone shows a distinct aventurescence.
Reference:
1. “Sunstone.” Geology.com
2. “Peach Moonstone Meaning & Healing Properties.” Crystal Healing Rituals.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Sunstone” By John Bailey, incorrectly uploaded by Donsimpson under false copyright tag, released via ticket permission – Transferred from en. Wikipedia to Commons. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Moonstone-sample2” By Jarno from Rotterdam, Netherlands – Moonstone (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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