June Birthstone Pearl

June is unique in that it has not one, not two, but three birthstones—pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. Whether you’re a cancer or a Gemini, your birthday has a connection with all three of these fantastic gems. We’ve created a little overview that outlines the history of the June Birthstone Pearl. The pearl is one of the unique gemstones in the world. It’s not technically a stone at all. It is not something you mine from deep within the earth. Instead, it’s produced by a mollusk depositing layers of calcium carbonate around microscopic irritants in their shells, according to the American Gem Society.

What Is A Pearl?

As the only gemstone made by an actual living creature, pearls hare revered as an extraordinary phenomenon for ages. When worn as jewelry, they serve as an ultimate symbol of class, and since they’re so rare, naturally forming ones can be extremely expensive. Today, many farms cultivate pearls in a controlled environment, a practice that dates back to the 13th century.

Pearls are known as white, iridescent spheres that uniquely reflect light, but they can come in black as well, though this is even rarer than a pearl itself. A “black pearl” is a deep hue of green, purple, blue, or silver. Pearls cultured in freshwater can be dyed a variety of colors. Pearls are slightly soft, ranging between a 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale and being very susceptible to heat and acidity. A truly authentic pearl can dissolve in vinegar.

Where are Pearls Found?

Pearls are more natural to get a hold of these days thanks to pearl farms, but a truly natural one is scarce—a perfectly round and smooth one even more so. Natural pearls are in specific parts of the world. Pearls are commonly found in the Persian Gulf near Bahrain or the Indian Ocean. Australia owns one of the world’s last pearl diving fleets, and they harvest their pearls in the Indian Ocean.

Relationship Between Pearls and the Moon

The moon and the pearl are both mysterious and unique birthstone. They produce white iridescence and have a special relationship with the ocean. It’s no surprise that they are often associated with one another. They are reflective and lustrous but have distinctive marks and variations that make them beautifully imperfect. According to the International Gem Society, ancient Vedic texts saw the pearl as born from the Earth’s waters. They thought pearls had heaven’s powers. The belief was that they were created through fertilization by a flash of lightning and was considered the daughter of the moon.

Both the moon and the pearl hold feminine connotations that evoke sensitivity, intuition, and mutability. The moon is also associated with illumination, and the pearl is one of the most lustrous natural phenomenons on Earth.

Pearls are also heavily associated with Venus in Western cultures.

Pearls and Weddings

Pearls are often worn by brides not just because they match the lustrous white of the traditional Western bridal gown, but also because of the strong connotations of femininity and purity. True love is often seen as one of the things rarer than the pearl, so wearing the sought after gem can solidify your belief in the seemingly impossible. Eastern brides also utilize pearls as well, but more often as a symbol of fertility.

Pearls are also great for weddings because they are June birthstone, so their energy is most potent during one of the ideal months for a wedding. Additionally, many legends say they have the power to keep a bride from crying at the altar.