The month of June has three birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone. However, the pearl is the most popular.
PEARL
A pearl symbolizes success, happiness, and love. Unlike most other gemstones, pearls are not mined. The most highly valued pearls are created inside of saltwater oysters and freshwater clams whose shells are lined with mother-of-pearl, or nacre. Pearls from other mollusks lack the desired luster and are considered to be of less value. When a foreign particle enters the mollusk’s mantle, shell-secreting cells attach themselves to the particle and form a protective barrier. The resulting pearl is measured in grains and is more sensitive to elements such as humidity, acid, and dryness than other gemstones. Cultured pearls are essentially the same as those found in nature, the only difference being that a foreign particle is intentionally inserted into the mollusk with the express purpose of creating a gemstone. The process of “pearling” began before 1,000 B. C. in China and continues today in many freshwater and saltwater areas of the world. Learn more about the pearl – the June birthstone.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PEARLS
Mined in: Pearls are not mined, but formed inside those freshwater clams and saltwater oysters whose shells have mother-of-pearl (nacre) lining. Today’s pearls are found in Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Mannar, the South Pacific, Japan, Australia, Europe and the Pacific coast of Mexico
June birthstone pearl color: Popular colors are white and black, but exist in numerous shades including green, purple, red and pink
Symbolism & meaning : Also known as the stone of sincerity, pearls symbolize purity, success, happiness and love
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Derives from: Latin word, pirum