Learn About the Many Birthstones of June
June is a special time of year for many reasons–from the beginning of summer, to the blooming of brilliant flowers, to holidays like Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and Pride Month, June brings joy and light to the year. June is also unique in that it has not one, not two, but three birthstones! Pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite are all used to celebrate the month of June, and all are extraordinary for different reasons. Read more to find out what makes these gemstones exceptional.
Pearl is the most widely known birthstone of June, and for good reason. Pearls are the only gemstone to come from a living creature, making it the perfect choice for a month full of the natural world coming to life. Enchanting and timeless, pearls come from mollusks in the oceans, rivers, and lakes around the world. Natural pearls are formed when an irritant enters the mollusk and a substance called nacre is secreted, and cultured pearls are created by imitating that process. Pearl culturing began in China and Japan, while natural pearls were frequently found in the Persian Gulf, Sri Lanka, China, and parts of Europe. Now, natural pearls are also found in Australia, the Gulf of Manaar, and some parts of South America. Used as adornment since ancient times, pearls have been believed to be the tears of gods and mermaids, and are often used as a symbol of purity. Discover the fascinating history of pearl here.
Moonstone is another birthstone for the month of June. Known for its adularescence, the stream of light that appears to give a bluish glow, moonstone famously comes from Sri Lanka, but it is also found in India, Myanmar, Madagascar, Australia, and the United States. Moonstone is a gem made of mythology, going back to ancient Roman, Greek, and Hindu stories of the stone being made of solidified moonbeams. Designers of the Art Nouveau era featured moonstone in fine jewelry, and the gemstone saw another resurgence during the flower power era of the 1960s. Representing love, fertility, and luck, moonstone is still known as the stone of new beginnings, strength, and inner growth. Learn more about the magic of moonstone.
Alexandrite is the most modern birthstone of June. Discovered in emerald mines in Russia during the early 1800s, alexandrite was named to honor Russian czar Alexander II. Sometimes described as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is one of the rare gemstones known to change color based on the light it's seen in. This gemstone is incredibly rare, found in parts of Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil. Synthetic alexandrite has been made since the 1960s, although this is also an expensive process. Because it is such a recently discovered gem, there is very little lore about alexandrite, although its color changing properties make it a wonderful stone for embracing change. Explore the allure of alexandrite.
No matter how you celebrate those born in the month of June, these three gemstones present exciting options for gift giving. Pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite are all beautiful choices and powerful gems in all their unique qualities and histories. Wear them with pride and honor the month of June with these precious gemstones.
