What is the Birthstone For June?
Photo Andrew Dunn, Creative Commons Licence
What is the June Birthstone? Well, it’s three, June has three birthstones; pearl, alexandrite and moonstone.
June is the sixth month of the year and the summer solstice is traditionally celebrated as the longest day of the year.
For June babies, the month holds an interesting mix of birthstones to choose from, three beautiful birthstones presenting choices in colour and budget.
All three June birthstones are as different from one another as they are beautiful.
June is one of only two months with this many birthstones, the other being December.
Pearl and moonstone are both milky in colour. Alexandrite is a rare colour-changing gem and one of the most valuable gems on Earth.
The Birth Colours for June are Light Blue, White and Cream
The Birth Flower for June is Rose
Let's Take a Look at June Birthstone Pearl
June Birthstone Pearl
How is a Pearl Formed?
June birthstone pearl is the only gemstone made by a living creature.
Molluscs produce pearls by depositing layers of calcium around microscopic irritants which find their way into the shells and lodge themselves there.
All molluscs can make a pearl, but only two types of clams use Mother of Pearl to create iridescent “nacreous” pearls that are valued in jewellery. These rare natural gems don’t require polishing to reveal the natural lustre of the pearl.
The rarest and most expensive pearls are made in the wild.
The majority of pearls sold today are cultured pearls. To create cultured pearls, pieces of shell are implanted into pearl oysters or freshwater pearl mussels.
Where are Pearls Found?
Australia is home to one of the world’s largest remaining pearl diving fleets, harvesting natural pearls from the Indian Ocean.
Today, most freshwater pearls are farmed in China, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Are Pearls Heat-Treated?
Pearls are heat-treated to change their colour from white to golden.
Dyeing, filling, and irradiation are some of the main treatments to pearls to change colour, smoothness, and quality of the natural pearl.
What Colour are Pearls?
Natural and cultured pearls come in a variety of colours. White and cream are the better-known colours.
The finest pearls have a reflective lustre making them appear creamy-white with a sheen of many colours.
Cultured freshwater pearls are dyed in different colours, including yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple or black.
Black pearls are usually cultured as they are very rare in the wild. They are not actually black but green, purple, blue or silver.
Do Pearls Scratch Easily?
Pearls are very soft and only score 2.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and are sensitive to heat and acidity.
Extra care should be taken when wearing pearl jewellery. Avoid all knocks and bumps.
How do I Clean my Pearl Jewellery?
Wipe your pearl birthstone jewellery with a soft cloth after every wear to remove oils and other substances collected.
Only wipe with a damp cloth if the pearls are looking stained and dirty and always make sure they are completely dry before storing away.
Pearl necklaces and bracelets should be regularly checked by a jeweller. Once a year would be ideal.
Can a Pearl be used in an Engagement Ring?
Definitely yes.
A pearl engagement ring can have a special meaning to couples as the pearl symbolizes harmony, perfection, and purity.
All styles of pearl engagement rings
Fun Facts, Myths and Legends
The June birthstone pearl is making a come back, especially for the younger generation.
The name Pearl originates from the old French Perle, which is taken from the Latin Perna, meaning leg. Leg references to the shape of an open mollusc shell which resembles a leg of mutton.
In Tudor England, the popularity of pearls was great with the upper class. The Tudor Times was also known as The Pearl Age. The popularity is easy to see in portraits of royals and noble people, wearing jewellery and garments embroidered with pearls.
Queen Elizabeth I Coronation National Portrait Gallery [Public domain]
Anne Boleyn 1556 wearing pearls Wenceslaus Hollar / Public domain
Johannes Vermeer / Public domain
Another well known pearl is the pearl earring in the painting by Johannes Vermeer, The Girl with the Pearl Earring (original: Meisje met de Parel)
A beautiful painting which was the subject of Tracy Chevalier’s book, Girl with a Pearl Earring, later turned into a film with Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.
In the 1900s, Asia saw the first commercial culturing of saltwater pearls. By the 1920s, cultured pearls had almost completely replaced natural pearls, making this gemstone affordable for almost any budget..
Japan is famous for its cultured pearls. The most famous being Mikimoto Pearls. Named after the founder of the industry, Kokichi Mikimoto.
For many cultures, pearls represent purity and innocence. This is one of the reasons why brides traditionally wear pearls on their wedding day.
Believed to be the tears of the gods, the oldest pearl was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC.
According to ancient Japanese Folklore, pearls are created from the tears of mystical creatures like mermaids and nymphs.
Early Chinese civilizations believed pearls were formed in the head of dragons and once the pearls were fully grown they were kept between the teeth of dragons. The dragons had to be slain to release the Pearl which symbolized bravery and wisdom.
In South Asian mythology, pearls were believed to be dewdrops from heaven which fell into the sea. They were caught by shellfish under the first rays of the rising sun during the phase of a full moon.
In India, warriors encrusted their swords with pearls to symbolize the tears of sorrow a sword can bring.
In Europe up until the 17th Century, pearls were used in medicine, in Arabia and Persia, it was believed pearls could cure various kinds of diseases.
To this day in Asia, low-grade pearls are used in medicine.
The chemical formula for pearl is CACO3
30th wedding anniversaries are celebrated with pearls.
June birthstone Pearl jewellery is an ideal gift for all occasions; Birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, engagements, and many more.
