How to Find Moonstones in California

Ancient Romans thought that Moonstones were created from frozen moonbeams. Translucent to opaque, moonstones have a sheen that glows like the moon. Made from the most common minerals found on Earth, the orthoclase feldspar group, moonstones can be derived from many types of minerals. Its sheen comes from the "schiller effect," namely light refracting and reflecting off many layers of feldspar orthoclase and albite. Moonstones can be found worldwide, including Moonstone Beach, California, where you can pick them up right on the beach.

Things You'll Need

• Hiking boots
• Bag

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Drive to Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California--south of San Simeon. Parallel and west of Pacific Coast Highway, Moonstone Beach is off Moonstone Beach Drive.

   • 2

     Wear hiking boots when you walk on the pebble beach. Moonstone beach is full of rocks smoothed by the ocean. Driftwood, jade and moonstones can be found on the beach.

   • 3

     Keep your eyes open for the recognizable sheen of a moonstone. Once you find one, keep it safely in your bag. The moonstones in California are not considered as valuable as those found in Sri Lanka and India.