Two Shimmering June Birthstones, Moonstone & Pearl
June is a special month for those born under Gemini and Cancer, as they have three amazing birthstones to choose from: moonstone, pearl, and alexandrite. However, in this article, we will only talk about the most popular ones: Moonstone and Pearl.
Moonstone is a beautiful and very popular gemstone that looks like it has a piece of the Moon inside it. With a milky opalescent appearance the moonstone can show a blue sheen in some angles. This june birthstone is a mineral of the orthoclase feldspar group and is composed of potassium aluminum silicate. It is distinguished from other similar stones by the presence of adularescence. It is evidently named after the Moon and is believed to have a connection with lunar cycles, love, passion and fertility.
But the official birthstone for June is pearl, according to the American National Association of Jewelers, which adopted a standardized list of birthstones in 1912. Pearl is the only gem made by living creatures, such as oysters and clams. It has a smooth, shiny surface and comes in many colors, shapes and sizes. Pearl is a symbol of purity, humility, and innocence. It is also a traditional wedding gift and the gem for the 3rd and 13th wedding anniversaries.
La Peregrina Pearl mounted on necklace with pearls, diamonds, and rubies previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor
The Iris Moonstone Necklace, on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
A History of Pearls
Pearl is one of the oldest known gems and has been valued for thousands of years. The first recorded mention of pearls was by a Chinese historian in 2,206 BCE. Pearls were also prized by ancient civilizations such as India, Egypt, Rome, Greece, Persia, and China.
Pearl was also a popular trade item and a source of conflict throughout history. The discovery of pearls in Central-South America by Christopher Columbus and other Spaniards in the 15th and 16th centuries sparked a pearl rush that depleted the native pearl oyster populations.
Until the early 1900’s, natural pearls were accessible only to the rich and famous. So it’s no wonder that this June Birthstone was coveted by royalty and nobility, who adorned themselves with pearl jewellery and clothing. During the Dark Ages, while fair maidens of nobility cherished delicate pearl necklaces, gallant knights wore pearls into battle. And, because pearls were also highly regarded in the Renaissance Era, a number of European countries actually passed laws forbidding anyone but the nobility to wear them.
While natural pearls can be found in the seas of French Polynesia, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and China, the major commercial producers of cultured pearls are China, Japan and South Korea. Pearl farms are where most of the world’s pearls are produced and because of them pearls are available and affordable to all.
"Girl With A Pearl Earring" painting by Dutch Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer
Art Deco Glass and Moonstone Pendant, c.1906, by famous jeweler Rene Lalique
Moonstone's History & Origin
One of the earliest beliefs about moonstone was that it was made of moonlight that had turned solid. This was the view of the ancient Romans, who also thought that they could see the image of Diana, the Goddess of the Moon, in the stone. The ancient Greeks also associated moonstone with their lunar deities, such as Selene and Artemis.
As one of the most sacred stones in India, it was used by high priests and is only exhibited to be sold if it comes with a yellow cloth as yellow is also a sacred color. According to ancient legends, the gem was embedded in the forehead of Ganesh, the god of the moon with four hands, since the dawn of time. It was believed in Hindu mythology that moonstone was formed from moonbeams, which explains its shine.
Unlike Pearls, Moonstone did not become a prominent and significant gemstone for jewellery until the Art Nouveau Era when great designers like René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany featured moonstones in custom jewellery as the focal point. Moonstone continued to be popular with hippies in the 1960s and designers in the New Age movement of the 1990s, who valued its ethereal and mystical qualities.
Moonstone is mined in many countries around the world, but the most important and fine-quality sources are in Sri Lanka and India, while other countries like Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Myanmar also have deposits of this gemstone.
Different glows of moonstone and pearl resembling the moon's light
Moonstone & Pearl's Properties
Adularescence or a changing dance of light is a mesmerizing effect that makes moonstone a sought-after gem across the globe. This phenomenon is caused by light scattering between microscopic layers of albite and orthoclase within the crystal structure. It can also display a cat’s eye or a striking asterisk. The stone has streaks of blue and white, but it glows like a pearl when exposed to light. And when this June birthstone is moved, the splendid iridescence resembles the moonlight under a sheer cover of clouds. Moonstone has a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means it can be scratched by harder materials such as quartz or citrine.
Pearls are organic gems that grow inside the shells of mollusks. To protect itself from irritants that get inside it, the mollusk secretes nacre (or mother-of-pearl) around it and over time forms a pearl sac, a layer of calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Nacre gives pearls their pearly luster and durability.
Pearls can have different colors, such as white, cream, yellow, pink, silver, black, and gold. The color depends on the type of mollusk and the water composition. They can also have different shapes, from round to oval to baroque (irregular). The shape is influenced by the shape of the irritant and the movement of the mollusk. Round pearls are the most rare and valuable. Also, this June Birthstone has a hardness of 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they are soft and can be scratched by harder materials.
How valuable are Moonstone & Pearls?
The value of moonstone is influenced by the color, clarity, and strength of the adularescence, as well as the size and shape of the stone. There are also different types of moonstone, such as blue moonstone, peach moonstone, rainbow moonstone, and white moonstone, which may have different values depending on their popularity and availability . Generally, the more blue the adularescence and the more clear and colorless the body, the more valuable the moonstone. Moonstone prices can go from as low as £8 per carat to as high as £800 per carat for a rare, clear moonstone.
The value of pearl is also affected by the type, size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, and nacre quality of the pearl. Nacre quality refers to the thickness and smoothness of this layer. Thicker and smoother nacre produces more lustrous and durable pearls. So, generally, larger, rounder, smoother, and more lustrous pearls are more valuable than smaller, irregular, blemished, and dull pearls. Pearl prices can range from as low as £40 to as high as £8,000 for a single pearl.
Different sizes and shapes of moonstone gemstones
"The Birth of Venus" by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli inspired by Roman Mythology
June Birthstones Mythology, Symbolism and Meaning
Moonstone is a gemstone that has a strong connection with the Moon, intuition, and creativity. It has been used in spiritual practices throughout history, by many cultures. The ancient Asian cultures believed that the moving light inside the gem is a live spirit. There is even an Asian myth that says that the most beautiful blue moonstones are brought by tides once every 21 years.
The gem was also used as amulets and hung in fruit trees to attract abundant crops or as a good luck charm and a powerful cure for insomnia. It is also known as an aphrodisiac and when worn by two people, they will fall passionately in love when the moon is high. Moonstone was once called the “Travelers Stone” as it is said to protect those who travel at night, especially at sea.
According to other legends, Moonstone can bestow the gifts of prophecy and clairvoyance upon the wearer. It could also make the mind clear for the wearer to attain wisdom. But to activate this ability, Moonstone must be held in their mouths during the full moon.
Moonstone has healing properties that can harmonize the emotions, stimulate the imagination, and enhance the feminine energy. It can also activate the third eye and crown chakras and improve psychic abilities. Moonstone can help with insomnia, stress, anxiety, menstrual problems, and fertility issues. Moonstone also symbolizes love, passion, and luck. It is also associated with joy, optimism, and balance.
Pearl on the other hand symbolizes modesty, purity, and innocence. But the two gems for the June born both have strong connections with the moon and femininity. In ancient China, pearls were believed to protect the wearer from fire and dragons, and to symbolize wisdom, purity, and dignity. Pearls were also used as offerings to the gods and as medicine for various ailments.
In ancient Egypt, pearls were prized for their luster and rarity. They were worn by pharaohs, queens, and priests, and buried with the dead. Pearls were also thought to have magical powers, such as granting eternal life and warding off evil. In ancient Rome, pearls were a symbol of wealth, power, and status. They were worn by emperors, senators, and generals, and used as currency and tribute. Pearls were also a sign of love, beauty, and fertility, and given as gifts to brides and lovers.
It can also represent the wisdom gained through experience, calmness, integrity, loyalty, and serenity. This particular June Birthstone is said to have healing properties that can soothe the emotions, enhance the skin, balance the hormones, and stimulate the crown chakra. It can also protect against negative energies, promote spiritual awareness, and attract good fortune.
Buying & Gifting June Birthstone Jewellery
Buying and gifting June birthstone jewellery is a great way to celebrate the birthdays of your loved ones who were born in this month. And the Gemini and Cancers of June are really lucky to have these elegant options of earrings, rings, necklaces, and jewellery set that emphasize the beauty of these two gems.
June Birthstone Necklace – Moonstone Charm in Sterling Silver
June Birthstone Ring with Moonstone in Sterling Silver
June Birthstone Stud Earrings – Pearl Gemstone in Sterling Silver
June Birthstone Jewellery Set in Moonstone – Studs and Charm Necklace
June Birthstone Jewellery Set with Pearls – Studs and Pendant Necklace
The New Venus Collection
For this month we have also prepared a special jewellery collection inspired by the famous painting “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli. The artwork depicts the goddess of love and beauty, Venus, setting foot on the island of Cyprus , on a massive scallop shell that is as flawless and pristine as a pearl.
The Venus Collection embodies the different facets of femininity, encouraging women, through it’s unique shapes and styles, to embrace their beauty, express themselves authentically, and celebrate their unique journey.
Made with precious materials like 14ct gold, with fresh water pearls and precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, the Venus Collection is full of beautiful, unique pieces that bring out the vibrant feminine energy of each woman that chooses to wear them.
Thick Biwa Pearl Earrings in Sterling Silver or Gold Vermeil
Thin Biwa Pearl Jewellery Set in Gold Vermeil
Thick Biwa Pearl Jewellery Set in Sterling Silver
Thick Biwa Pearl Jewellery Set in Gold Vermeil
Whether you are looking for a gift for someone born in June, or simply want to treat yourself to a beautiful piece of jewellery, you can’t go wrong with any of these June birthstones. They are sure to add some timeless elegance and dreamy charm to your outfit while enhancing your feminine energies and unique beauty.
