How to Cut Moonstone

Hold the stone in your hand firmly as you place it under a strong light. Position your hand in such a way that your head will not cast a shadow over the stone and you will be able to see the stone clearly. Houston Gem and Mineral Society recommends that you turn the stone back and forth to detect the floating sheen that will glide across the stone. This shimmer usually appears as silver, yellow or white, but it can be a variety of colors.

Mark this shimmery area with a permanent marker so you have a reference point. Look on the opposite side of the stone for another flash of color, and mark it. Turn the stone back and forth in front of you. HGMS offers this as the method to finding the stone's best adularescence display. Draw a line between the two dots if you are satisfied with the area.

Place the stone under the light again in search for a light blue shimmer that resembles the sheen of a cat's eye. Rotate the stone perpendicular to the first line that you drew to find this particular flash.

Mark this glimmer of light blue light when you locate it. Repeat the procedure on the other side, and connect the dots with a line.

Use a gemstone cutting wheel to saw a line that is parallel or directly on the first line that you marked. Use this as a base for your future cuts. Flat cabochons are cut to display the flash. Narrow and high-domed cabochons are cut to show off the beautiful cat's eye that the moonstone contains.