June Birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone

June stands uniquely among months for having not one but three official birthstones, each possessing distinct characteristics and rich histories. These gems have adorned jewelry for centuries, from ancient royal collections to modern everyday pieces. While pearls remain the most traditional choice, both alexandrite and moonstone offer equally captivating alternatives, making June’s birthstone selection particularly diverse and fascinating for jewelry enthusiasts and collectors alike.

What are June’s Three Birthstones?

June’s birthstones represent a fascinating mix of organic and mineral gems, each with its own remarkable formation process and distinctive beauty. Pearls grow within living creatures, while alexandrite captivates with its color-changing magic, and moonstone enchants with its ethereal blue sheen. These three gems were officially designated as June’s birthstones by the American Gem Society and the International Gem Society, offering those born in June an unusually wide range of choices for their birthstone jewelry.

• Pearls form in both saltwater and freshwater mollusks, taking anywhere from 6 months to several years to develop fully. The layering of nacre creates their signature iridescent shine, with natural pearls being among the rarest gems in existence.
• Alexandrite ranks among the world’s most expensive gemstones, with fine specimens showing a dramatic color change from emerald green in daylight to raspberry red under incandescent light. Its discovery in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1830 coincided with future Tsar Alexander II’s coming of age.
• Moonstone belongs to the feldspar mineral family and gets its ethereal appearance from light scattering between microscopic layers within the stone. The finest specimens come from Sri Lanka and show a vivid blue sheen floating across a colorless background.

These three distinct gems give June-born individuals unparalleled variety in choosing their birthstone. Each offers unique optical effects unseen in other gemstones: the orient of pearls, the color change of alexandrite, and the adularescence of moonstone. This diversity allows people to select a birthstone that best matches their style while still honoring their birth month’s traditional gemological heritage.

Pearls as June Birthstone

Pearls stand unique in the gemstone world as the only gems formed within living creatures, representing a perfect marriage between nature’s patience and organic beauty. Unlike mined gemstones that require cutting and polishing to reveal their beauty, pearls emerge from their mollusk hosts with their full luster intact. This extraordinary formation process, combined with their historical significance in cultures worldwide, has earned pearls their reputation as some of the most cherished gems throughout human history.

• Natural pearls form when an irritant enters a mollusk and the creature begins coating it with nacre (mother-of-pearl) as a defense mechanism. This process can take 3-7 years in nature, making natural pearls extremely rare and valuable.
• Cultured pearls, introduced in the early 1900s, follow the same natural process but begin with human intervention. Technicians carefully insert a nucleus, usually a small bead, into the mollusk, which then coats it with nacre layers.
• Pearl colors naturally range from white to black, with many hues in between including cream, gold, green, blue, and pink. The color depends on the species of mollusk and its environment, not artificial treatment.
• The quality of a pearl is judged by several factors: luster (surface shine), surface quality (smoothness), shape (round being most valued), size (larger being rarer), and nacre thickness (thicker being more durable).
• Pearls measure 2.5-4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them relatively soft compared to other gems. This softness requires special care to maintain their beauty over time.
• Unlike other gems, pearls benefit from wearing because the natural oils from skin help maintain their luster. However, they should be the last thing put on and first thing removed when dressing.
• The largest known natural pearl, the Pearl of Lao Tzu (formerly known as Pearl of Allah), weighs 6.4 kilograms and was found in the Philippines in 1934.

Pearls continue to captivate jewelry lovers today, offering a timeless elegance that transcends fashion trends. Their organic origin and natural beauty make them particularly special among birthstones, while modern cultivation techniques have made these gems more accessible without diminishing their inherent allure. Whether natural or cultured, pearls remain one of nature’s most remarkable creations, embodying both the mystery of the ocean and the patience required for their formation.

Alexandrite as June Birthstone

Alexandrite represents one of nature’s most extraordinary gemstones, famous for its remarkable ability to change color under different lighting conditions. First discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1830, this rare variety of chrysoberyl captured immediate attention for its striking color shift from emerald green in daylight to raspberry red under incandescent light. The gem’s discovery coincided with the coming of age of future Tsar Alexander II, leading to its name and its status as one of Russia’s national stones.

• The color-change phenomenon in alexandrite occurs due to the unique way the stone absorbs light, caused by the presence of chromium in its crystal structure. This same element gives rubies their red color, but in alexandrite, it creates a different optical effect.
• Fine alexandrite ranks among the most expensive gemstones, often commanding higher prices per carat than diamonds. The combination of its rarity and its unique color-changing property drives these high values.
• The original Russian deposits that produced the finest alexandrite are now largely depleted. Today, alexandrite is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, East Africa, and India, though specimens showing strong color change remain extremely rare.
• Alexandrite measures 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a very durable gemstone suitable for everyday wear in all types of jewelry settings.
• The ideal color change in alexandrite shows a vivid green in daylight and a strong purplish-red in incandescent light. The more dramatic and complete the color change, the more valuable the stone.
• Most alexandrite gems are relatively small, with stones over one carat being extremely rare. Larger stones showing good color change can command prices similar to fine emeralds and rubies.
• Unlike many other gemstones, alexandrite is rarely treated or enhanced, as its unique properties result from its natural crystal structure. This makes it one of the few completely natural gemstones in the market.

Alexandrite’s remarkable properties and extreme rarity have earned it a special place among precious gems. While the original Russian deposits may be depleted, the allure of this color-changing crystal continues to captivate gem collectors and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide. Its status as a June birthstone offers those born in this month the opportunity to claim one of nature’s most fascinating optical phenomena as their birth gem.

Moonstone as June Birthstone

Moonstone captivates with its otherworldly appearance, displaying a floating blue light that seems to glide across the surface as the stone moves. This enchanting optical phenomenon, known as adularescence, occurs because of the stone’s unique internal structure. Ancient civilizations, from Romans to Hindus, believed moonstone held mystical properties, considering it solidified moonbeams due to its ethereal glow and connection to lunar cycles.

• The mesmerizing floating light effect in moonstone comes from light scattering between microscopically thin layers of different types of feldspar minerals (orthoclase and albite) within the stone’s structure.
• The finest moonstones come from Sri Lanka and show a vivid blue sheen against a colorless or semi-transparent background. The more transparent the body of the stone and the bluer the adularescence, the more valuable the moonstone.
• Moonstone belongs to the feldspar family of minerals and measures 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it relatively durable but requiring some care to prevent scratching.
• While blue is the most classic adularescent color, moonstones can also display other colors including peach, green, gray, and rainbow effects. These variations come from differences in the internal structure.
• Unlike many other gems, moonstone’s beauty comes from its interaction with light rather than its brilliance or fire. The stone is rarely faceted and is typically cut as a cabochon to best display its floating light effect.
• High-quality moonstones should show a clear, sharp, and mobile band of light that moves smoothly across the surface as the stone is tilted. This band should be bright and distinct against the stone’s body color.
• While Sri Lanka produces the finest blue moonstones, significant deposits are also found in India, Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar, and parts of the United States, each producing stones with slightly different characteristics.

Moonstone’s ethereal beauty continues to enchant jewelry lovers and collectors today, offering a uniquely magical appearance unlike any other gemstone. Its subtle yet captivating play of light makes it particularly suited for both classic and contemporary jewelry designs. As one of June’s three birthstones, moonstone provides an otherworldly option that connects its wearer to centuries of mythology while displaying one of nature’s most remarkable optical phenomena.

The Story Behind June Birthstones

Throughout human history, June’s birthstones have held profound cultural significance across civilizations, each stone carrying its own rich legacy of myths, beliefs, and royal connections. From ancient Rome to modern times, these gems have played important roles in trade, decoration, and spiritual practices, making them some of the most historically significant gemstones in human culture.

• Pearls have been treasured since ancient times, with the earliest known pearl jewelry discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess dating back to 420 BC. Ancient Romans believed pearls symbolized wealth and social status, with Julius Caesar even passing laws limiting pearl wearing to specific social classes.
• Alexandrite’s discovery in 1830 in Russia’s Ural Mountains coincided with the coming of age of future Tsar Alexander II, making it an instant symbol of Imperial Russia. The stone’s dramatic color change from green to red matched Russia’s national military colors.
• Moonstone held great significance in Ancient Rome, where people believed it was formed from solidified moonbeams. Hindu mythology considered it a sacred stone, believing it brought good fortune with its connection to the moon.
• In many ancient cultures, pearls were considered tears of the gods. Ancient Chinese civilizations believed pearls came from dragons’ brains, while ancient Japanese folklore said they were created from angel tears.
• The Russian royal family’s alexandrite collection was largely lost or destroyed during the Russian Revolution, making original Russian alexandrite specimens extremely rare and historically significant.
• Moonstone features prominently in Art Nouveau jewelry from the early 1900s, representing a revival of interest in this gem’s mysterious beauty. Its popularity surged again during the hippie movement of the 1960s.
• The tradition of birthstones dates back to the biblical description of Aaron’s breastplate, with standardization occurring in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. Moonstone and alexandrite were added as June birthstones more recently, joining the traditional pearl.

These stones’ rich histories continue to influence their value and desirability today, with each gem telling its own story of human discovery, appreciation, and cultural significance. From royal treasuries to modern jewelry boxes, June’s birthstones remain powerful symbols of nature’s beauty and human creativity, connecting their wearers to thousands of years of human history and tradition.

How Much Do June Birthstones Cost?

The value of June’s birthstones varies dramatically, from relatively affordable to extremely expensive. Understanding what drives these price differences helps in making an informed purchase decision. Each stone has its own unique set of value factors, with quality specimens of all three gems being highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide.

• Natural pearls command extraordinary prices due to their extreme rarity, with high-quality specimens often selling for tens of thousands of dollars per pearl. However, cultured pearls offer beautiful and more affordable alternatives, ranging from $50 to several thousand dollars depending on their quality.
• Alexandrite ranks among the most expensive colored gemstones in the world, with fine specimens over one carat selling for $15,000 to $70,000 per carat. Natural alexandrite showing strong color change can command higher prices per carat than diamonds of similar size.
• Moonstone presents the most affordable option among June birthstones, with high-quality specimens typically ranging from $5 to $50 per carat. Premium blue moonstones from Sri Lanka with strong adularescence can command higher prices, reaching several hundred dollars per carat.
• Quality factors affecting pearl value include size, shape (perfectly round being most valuable), luster, surface quality, nacre thickness, and color (with natural color being more valuable than dyed).
• For alexandrite, the strength and completeness of the color change most significantly affects value, followed by size, clarity, and origin (Russian specimens commanding premium prices).
• Moonstone value depends primarily on the strength and color of its adularescence, with vivid blue sheen being most prized, followed by body color transparency and size.
• Synthetic versions of alexandrite and imitation moonstones exist in the market at much lower prices, while cultured pearls provide a genuine but more affordable alternative to natural pearls.

Understanding these value factors helps in making an informed decision when purchasing June birthstones. Whether choosing investment-grade alexandrite, classic pearls, or enchanting moonstone, each gem offers its own unique combination of beauty and value. The wide price range across these three stones ensures that everyone can find a June birthstone within their budget while still obtaining a beautiful and meaningful piece of jewelry.

How to Spot Fake June Birthstones

Distinguishing genuine June birthstones from their imitations requires understanding key characteristics unique to each stone. With advances in synthetic production and simulation techniques, it’s become increasingly important to know what to look for when purchasing these gems. While expert certification is always recommended for significant purchases, there are several indicators that can help identify authentic stones.

• Real pearls have a slightly rough feel when gently rubbed against your teeth, while fake ones feel smooth. However, this test should never be done on mounted pearls as it can damage the setting and isn’t definitive for modern high-quality imitations.
• Natural pearls show growth rings under X-ray examination, appearing like tree rings in cross-section. This is one of the most reliable ways to distinguish natural from cultured pearls, though it requires professional equipment.
• Genuine alexandrite displays a natural color change that occurs smoothly and completely. Synthetic alexandrite often shows patchy color changes, while simulants may use color-change coatings that can wear off over time.
• Natural moonstone’s adularescence (floating blue light) moves smoothly across the surface as the stone is rotated. Fake moonstones often show static or artificial-looking effects, and glass imitations typically display more rainbow-like colors.
• The nacre of genuine pearls has a deep, complex lustre that seems to have depth, while imitation pearls show a more superficial shine. Look at the drill holes in beaded pearls – natural and cultured pearls show a clean, sharp edge while fake ones often appear rough or flaky.
• Real alexandrite ranks 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it highly scratch-resistant. Simulants are usually softer and more prone to scratching. However, synthetic alexandrite has the same hardness as natural, so this test alone isn’t definitive.
• Authentic moonstone is never perfectly clear – it always has some inclusions visible under magnification. Glass imitations tend to be too “perfect” and lack the natural characteristics of real feldspar.

Understanding these differences helps protect against misrepresentation, but the surest way to verify authenticity is through professional gemological testing and certification, particularly for alexandrite and expensive pearls. Each June birthstone requires different testing methods, and many definitive tests can only be performed by qualified gemologists with specialized equipment.

Caring for Your June Birthstone

Proper care of June birthstones requires special attention due to their unique properties and varying levels of durability. While alexandrite proves quite resilient, pearls and moonstone need more careful handling to maintain their beauty. Understanding the specific care requirements for each stone helps ensure they remain beautiful for generations, allowing their unique properties to continue delighting their owners through years of wear.

• Pearls require the most delicate care among the three birthstones. They should be wiped clean with a soft cloth after each wear, as their porous nature makes them vulnerable to chemicals from perfumes, cosmetics, and even sweat.
• Store each June birthstone separately to prevent harder gems from scratching softer ones. This is especially important for pearls, which can be scratched even by the settings of other jewelry pieces.
• Clean alexandrite using warm water and mild soap, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners which can potentially damage inclusions within the stone. Despite its hardness, sudden temperature changes should be avoided.
• Moonstone should be protected from hard knocks and sharp blows, as its layered structure can make it prone to cracking if struck. Clean only with a soft brush, mild soap, and lukewarm water.
• Never use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners on pearls as these can seriously damage their nacre layer. For pearls, the best cleaning method is a damp, soft cloth with no soap.
• All three birthstones should be removed before swimming, as chlorine and salt water can damage their surfaces. This is particularly crucial for pearls, which can be permanently damaged by pool chemicals.
• Professional cleaning is recommended once a year for all three birthstones, especially for pieces worn frequently. A qualified jeweler can inspect for any potential issues while cleaning.

The enduring beauty of June’s birthstones depends largely on how well they’re maintained. While each stone presents its own care challenges, following these guidelines helps preserve their unique characteristics – whether it’s the lustrous glow of pearls, the color-changing magic of alexandrite, or the ethereal floating light of moonstone. With proper care, these gems can be enjoyed and passed down through generations, maintaining their spectacular appearance and special meaning.

Which June Birthstone Should You Choose?

Selecting the perfect June birthstone is a personal journey that depends on various factors, including your lifestyle, preferences, and how you plan to wear the gem. With three distinct options, each offering unique characteristics and beauty, June-born individuals have the rare privilege of choosing from a diverse range of stunning gemstones that can suit any style or occasion.

• Pearl remains the most traditional choice, ideal for those who appreciate classic elegance. These gems work beautifully in both formal and casual settings, though they require more careful handling and regular maintenance to maintain their luster.
• Alexandrite makes an excellent choice for those seeking a truly rare and valuable gem. Its color-changing properties make it a fascinating conversation piece, and its high durability means it’s suitable for everyday wear in any type of jewelry.
• Moonstone appeals to those drawn to mystical, ethereal beauty. Its floating blue light effect creates a uniquely magical appearance, making it perfect for both vintage-inspired and contemporary jewelry designs.
• Consider your lifestyle when choosing – pearls require more careful handling but offer timeless beauty, alexandrite is more durable but comes at a higher price point, while moonstone offers a balance of durability and affordability.
• Your skin tone can influence your choice – pearls come in various colors to complement any complexion, alexandrite’s color change appears differently against different skin tones, and moonstone’s subtle glow can enhance any skin tone.
• Budget plays a role – pearls range widely in price depending on their type (natural, cultured, freshwater, or saltwater), fine alexandrite commands premium prices, while moonstone generally offers the most affordable option.
• Consider the type of jewelry you prefer – all three stones work well in necklaces and earrings, but for rings that will see daily wear, alexandrite’s superior hardness makes it the most practical choice.

The beauty of having three birthstone options is that there’s no need to limit yourself to just one. Many June-born individuals enjoy collecting pieces featuring each of their birthstones, allowing them to choose the perfect gem for any occasion. Whether you’re drawn to the classic elegance of pearls, the rare color-changing magic of alexandrite, or the mystical allure of moonstone, your June birthstone can be as unique as you are.

Amazing Facts About June Birthstones

The history and science behind June’s birthstones contain fascinating stories and surprising discoveries that showcase their unique place in the world of gems. From ancient myths to modern scientific findings, these stones have captivated people throughout history, each bringing its own remarkable set of characteristics that set them apart from all other gemstones.

• The largest natural pearl ever found weighed 34 kilograms and was discovered in 1934 off the coast of the Philippines. Known as the “Pearl of Lao Tzu,” it formed inside a giant clam rather than an oyster and took an estimated 600 years to reach its enormous size.
• The first alexandrite was mistakenly thought to be an emerald until someone noticed it turned red in candlelight. This discovery created such excitement that it quickly became one of the most valued gems in imperial Russia.
• Ancient sailors believed moonstones could protect them at sea, as they thought the stones were connected to the moon’s influence on tides. They would often carry them during long voyages.
• Natural pearls are so rare that finding one in a wild oyster is a one in 10,000 chance. Among these, finding a perfectly round natural pearl is even rarer, occurring in perhaps one in a million oysters.
• The most expensive alexandrite ever sold was a 65.08-carat cushion-cut stone that displayed an extraordinary color change from green to red. While its exact price remains private, it was estimated to be worth over $4 million.
• Moonstone appears in the crown jewels of several royal families around the world. Ancient Hindu mythology believed moonstones were made from moonbeams, and the stone remains sacred in India.
• A pearl’s nacre layers are so thin that it would take about 170 layers to equal the thickness of a single piece of paper, yet these microscopic layers create the pearl’s stunning iridescence.

June’s birthstones stand as testament to nature’s incredible diversity, from the organic miracle of pearls to the color-changing magic of alexandrite and the ethereal beauty of moonstone. These gems continue to reveal new secrets and fascinate scientists, collectors, and jewelry lovers alike, making them some of the most intriguing stones in the gemological world.

Conclusion

June birthstones offer a unique variety among all birth months, presenting three distinctly different gems each with its own remarkable characteristics. From the organic beauty of pearls to the color-changing magic of alexandrite and the ethereal glow of moonstone, these stones represent some of nature’s most fascinating creations. Their varying levels of rarity, durability, and price points ensure that everyone born in June can find a birthstone that matches both their style and budget.

While each stone requires different levels of care and attention, all three continue to captivate jewelry lovers and collectors worldwide. Whether choosing the classic elegance of pearls, the rare sophistication of alexandrite, or the mystical allure of moonstone, June’s birthstones provide exceptional options for both everyday wear and special occasions. With proper care and understanding, these gems can be treasured for generations, each telling its own story of nature’s incredible diversity in creating beautiful gems.