June Birthstone: Pearl

,June’s Birthstone: Pearl
Birthstone Properties: Truth and Beauty
Alternative Birthstones: Moonstone and Alexandrite

Pearl is the official birthstone of the month of June. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. It is also being said that, June birthstone are often Alexandrite. Pearl is the Modern June birthstone. It is also the birthstone for the Star Signs of Gemini and Cancer. Alexandrite, the traditional birthstone, is a more durable stone. Pearls are a symbol of beauty and chastity; Alexandrite is thought to be a good omen. Alexandrite is a rare and very expensive gem which possesses a chameleon like quality. In sunlight, the stone appears greenish. The same stone under artificial light, would show a reddish hue! This gem is part of the chrysoberyl family. The unusual colours are believed to be produced by the presence of chronium.

The pearl is created when a grain of sand or rock fragment gets inside the clam or oyster. It irritates the animal which responds by coating the offending grain with layer after layer of shell material. Pearls formed in the inside surface of the shell are usually irregular in shape and of little value. Pearls formed within the tissue of the animal itself, result in a spherical or pear shaped pearl.

The color of the pearl depends on what species of animal it forms in, and the environment in which it was created. White is the most common color, but some pearl jewelry can also be found in shades of black, cream, gray, blue, yellow, lavender and green.

Color is noted next to birth stone name.

Modern Birthstone - Pearl (White), Moonstone (White)
Traditional Birthstone - Alexandrite (Red)
Mystical Birthstone - Moonstone (White)
Ayurvedic Birthstone - Pearl (White)
15th-20th Century Birthstone - Agate (Blue and Green), Cat's Eye (Yellow/Brown), Turquoise (Blue)
Other Birthstone - Opal (White or Black)

June's third birthstone is the Alexandrite, named after Prince Alexander of Russia who was to later become Czar Alexander II in 1855). Discovered in 1839 on the prince's birthday, Alexandrite was found in an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains of Russia.