What can cause adularescence in a gemstone?

Adularescence is a phenomenon seen in certain gemstones, particularly moonstone, where a soft, glowing light appears to float just beneath the surface. The correct answer highlights specific crystallographic structures within the gemstone that cause light to diffuse in such a manner that it creates this unique optical effect.

These crystallographic structures create a layered or cloud-like appearance within the stone, and when light interacts with these layers, it is scattered in various directions. This results in the characteristic shimmering quality of adularescence, giving the gemstone its enchanting visual appeal. It’s important to note that the way light is refracted and reflected at these structural levels is crucial to the phenomenon, as this is what differentiates adularescence from other optical effects.

Other factors, such as inclusions or surface abrasions, may influence the overall appearance of a gemstone but do not specifically lead to adularescence in the same way that the internal crystalline structure does. Additionally, while water inclusions can affect the clarity and color of a gemstone, they are not a primary cause of adularescence. The unique internal structure that leads to light diffusion is what defines this fascinating optical characteristic.