June Birthstone Guide: Alexandrite, Pearl & Moonstone
June is a standout month. The counterpart to December, June contains the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere. June features three annual celestial events: the Arietids, the Beta Taurids, and the June Bootids meteor showers. It's a month of growth, collaboration, and activity, especially in Southern California.
What we think sets June apart are the birthstones. Three precious jewels comprise June's Birthstones: Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Pearl. Jeweler’s Touch designs and creates stunning pieces to highlight the features of each gemstone. Read on to learn more about the characteristics and cultural history of these beautiful stones.
The Gemstones of June
June birthstones are a mystical threesome of wonderment. Whether you are having them placed in a ring setting or crafted into a pendant, one thing is certain... All of these captivating birthstones have their own allure and unique appearance. Let’s examine each of them in detail and touch on how to care for them properly.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is the most expensive of stones in the color-changing category. Alexandrite changes from green to rich red plum, depending on the time of day or type of lighting. Due to this specific color change, the stone is known as the “Emerald by Day, Ruby by Night.”
Discovered in the 1930s, Alexandrite was thought to originate from the Ural Mountains of Russia. It gets its name from the Russian Czar Alexander II, who was known as The Liberator for his emancipation of Russian serfs, abolition of corporal punishment, and promotion of local self-government.
Alexandrite is said to pack the power of positivity and well-being in its luminescent appeal. It’s the 55th wedding anniversary gift and an excellent choice for June people whose style leans toward the bolder, less traditional choice pearl.
Alexandrite is a surprisingly sturdy stone and fairs well under normal wearing conditions. It’s resistant to heat, intense light, and most skincare products. Consider the setting and any other stones before cleaning. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and clean your alexandrite jewelry with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.
Celebrate your birth month by setting this color-shifting gemstone in a gold ring to accentuate its varying colors. Or, encircle the June birthstone alexandrite with diamonds to add value to this amazing gemstone.
Moonstone
Moonstone offers a milky-white shimmer with flecks of color-changing enchantment. This unearthly effect comes from the adularescence of light diffracted between stacked layers of orthoclase and albite. Quality pieces of moonstone are precious despite their overall abundance.
The June birthstone moonstone has a rich history with mythology rooted in mysticism and symbolism. In Hindu mythology, the stone is considered a piece of solidified moonbeams, while Ancient Romans thought it was drops of moonlight. The Ancient Greeks associated moonstone with the lunar entities of Phoebe, whose name means bright, and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, vegetation, chastity, the wilderness, nature, and the care of children.
When choosing jewelry with a Moonstone birthstone, consider a cabochon-cut moonstone as a focal piece in a ring or pendant or in a teardrop cut in a festoon or negligee.
Moonstone is delicate. Handle it with care. Use room-temperature water and mild dish soap to clean the gemstone, and buff dry with a soft cloth.
Pearl
Pearls are the most time-honored and traditional of the June birthstones. They offer a timeless romantic feel and elevate any outfit they accent. Their mythological past is vast, with claims that they come from the tears of mermaids and angels or are bits of the moon that have fallen into the sea.
Pearl is unlike other gems in that it does not require mining, cutting, or polishing because it is created inside a living organism and not formed in sediment. You’ll find natural pearls inside mollusks like oysters and clams. Most people think these creatures form pearls from a grain of sand, but that is mostly a misconception. In reality, it is usually a parasite that gets lodged inside the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, their bodies emit fluids that coat the irritant with layers and layers of coating called nacre. Eventually, these milky layers of nacre accumulate to create what is known to us as a pearl.
Naturally occurring pearls are difficult to retrieve from the depths of the ocean. Pearl farmers developed a way to recreate the natural cultivation process by seeding mollusks in a controlled environment with similar irritants. These are called ‘cultured pearls’. They come in all sorts of dewy hues ranging from cream and white to rose, lilac, and even gray and black.
June is one of the most popular months for weddings, if not the most popular. Pearls are said to bring marital bliss and traditionally accent wedding gowns and bridal wear.
Pearls have retained their classic allure even in today’s world. To accent a classic style, go with a strand of white pearls. Use a graduated string of black pearls for a contemporary and updated look.
Pearls are delicate and vulnerable to the elements — treat them with extreme care. Adorn your pearls last when getting ready, and take them off first when undressing so as not to harm them. They are very vulnerable to perfumes, skin, and hair care products. Remember to be gentle when cleaning them. After each use, wipe them with a soft, damp cloth and let them dry entirely before storing them in a cool, dry place. Avoid hot water, steam cleaning, and ultrasonic jewelry cleaners.
Choose Jeweler’s Touch for Original Designs
Jeweler's Touch has an on-site studio and seven expert jewelers and goldsmiths. We offer unique jewelry pieces and work with you to design something special using the stone of your choice. Perhaps you prefer a combination of stones, like a pearl alexandrite necklace or something involving the July birthstone as well. Whatever you choose, quality is our top priority, and every piece we design undergoes a five-point quality control inspection process.
We serve Brea and the surrounding Southern California area. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between alexandrite, pearl, and moonstone for a June birthday gift?
Consider your recipient and their lifestyle when choosing between these stones for a gift. If they often attend events, a gentle stone like pearl or moonstone matches most attire. For that special someone who works harder on the weekends, Alexandrite's durability is more suitable.
How durable are alexandrite, pearl, and moonstone for everyday wear in jewelry?
Each June birthstone offers a unique characteristic, quality, and lore. When it comes to durability, alexandrite stands above the rest. Pearls are perfect for special events over daily wear. Though more durable than pearl, Moonstone is better suited to special occasions.
Where can I find reputable jewelers offering quality alexandrite, pearl, and moonstone jewelry?
Jeweler's Touch offers a broad selection of quality stones, including pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. If we don't have what you're looking for in stock, we can locate something from one of our reputable suppliers.