Moonstone beads are a transparent to semi-translucent gem characterized by an enchanting play of light known as `adularescence`. Moonstones from Sri Lanka shimmer a pale blue on an almost transparent background and from India feature an interplay of light and shadow on a background of beige-brown, green, orange, milky white or brown. A synonym for Moonstone is `selenite`, from the Greek `selene` (`moon`). Moonstone is mined in the USA, Brazil, Australia, Myanmar and Madagascar.