You are fortunate to have three birthstones to call your own if you were born in the month of June. Only three monthsJune, August, and Decemberhave three birthstones each, providing you a wide selection of lovely birthstones to choose from.
Moonstone, alexandrite, and pearl are the birthstones for June. Due to the variety of colors and price ranges these gems offer, people with June birthdays can find a birthstone that suits their mood or budget.
In This Article...
Why are there three birthstones for June?
Why are there three birthstones for June? Some months have more than one birthstone because different historical stones have become extremely rare, making it less likely that they would be sold on the market and meet consumer demand.
What sign does moonstone belong to?
Moonstone is recognized as the June birthstone and is associated with the zodiac sign of Gemini, along with Pearl and Alexandrite. A modern version of the June stone, it is given to newlyweds on their 13th anniversary and every additional 13 years after that.
What does the birthstone moonstone resemble?
Pearls are biological, in contrast to the majority of gemstones discovered on Earth. Simply said, they develop within specific varieties of oyster and clam shells. Some pearls are naturally occurring in mollusks that live in freshwater or saltwater, such as rivers. Today, a large number of pearls are cultured, or grown in oyster farms, which supports a robust pearl business. Aragonite, a moderately soft carbonate mineral (CaCO3) that also makes up mollusc shells, is the main component of pearls.
When a tiny rock piece, sand grain, or parasite enters the mollusk’s shell, a pearl is created. The oyster or clam reacts by covering the foreign substance with successive layers of shell material because it bothers them. The majority of pearls that form on the inside of the shell have a skewed shape and little commercial value. The spherical or pear-shaped ones, which originate within the mollusk’s tissue, are much sought for for jewelry.
Pearls come in several colors
One of the most expensive gemstones, pearls are prized for their distinctively delicate translucence and shine. The type of mollusk that made the pearl and its surroundings both affect the color of the pearl. Generally speaking, white pearls are the most popular and well-known color. But pearls also come in delicate tones of mauve, blue, yellow, lavender, green, cream, and gray. The waters around several islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico both contain black pearls. Beautiful cream-colored pearls known as Orientals are well-known from the Persian Gulf and Sri Lanka. The waters around the Indonesian island of Celebes, the Gulf of California, and the Pacific coast of Mexico are additional locations for natural seawater pearls. Freshwater mussels that can produce pearls can be found in the Mississippi River and the forest streams of Bavaria, Germany.
Also popular are beautiful cultured pearls
Cultured pearls are highly regarded in Japan. Additionally, everyone who is familiar with jewelry has heard of Mikimoto pearls, which were named after Kokichi Mikimoto, who founded the business. Large oyster beds in Japanese waters are where cultured pearls thrive. The fleshy section of 2- to 3-year-old oysters is exposed to a “irritant, such as a minute fragment of mother-of-pearl. The oysters are then nurtured for 7 to 9 years in mesh bags submerged in water before being picked to extract their pearls. The equatorial islands of the Pacific and Australia both have farmed pearl industry in addition to Japan.
Famous pearls
According to estimates, the largest pearl in the world is roughly 3 inches long, 2 inches wide, and weighs around 1/3 of a pound (.13 kg). It was given as a present by Shah Jahan of India to Mumtaz, his favorite wife, in whose honor he had built the Taj Mahal. It was known as the Pearl of Asia.
Many experts believe La Peregrina (the Wanderer) to be the most stunning pearl. In the 1500s, a slave was supposed to have discovered it in Panama and given it over in exchange for his freedom. The area’s colonial ruler gave the pearl to King Philip II of Spain in 1570. This white pearl measures 1 1/2 inches in length and is pear-shaped. It hangs on a platinum setting that is set with diamonds. Mary I of England received the pearl before it was given to Prince Louis Napoleon of France. The British Marquis of Abercorn bought it from him, and his family held it until 1969, when they put it up for auction at Sotheby’s. Finally, the item was purchased for Elizabeth Taylor by actor Richard Burton.
Pearl lore
In South Asian tradition, pearls were created when dewdrops from heaven dropped into the ocean. When the moon was full, they were captured by shellfish as the sun was just rising. To represent the grief and sadness that a sword conveys, Indian soldiers adorned their swords with pearls.
Up to the 17th century, pearls were also commonly utilized as medicine throughout Europe. It was thought to be a treatment for various illnesses, including insanity, by the Arabs and Persians. In China, where they were regarded as symbols of riches, power, and longevity, pearls were also utilized as medicine as early as 2000 B.C. Low-grade pearls are still crushed up and used as medicine in Asia today.
Another June birthstone: the moonstone
The moonstone is the second birthstone for June. It is thought that the bluish-white specks inside moonstones gave them their name. As a result, when held up to the light, they emit a silvery dance of color that closely resembles moonlight. Additionally, as the stone oscillates, bright silvery rays travel around like moonbeams dancing across water.
The feldspar family of minerals, a significant class of silicate minerals frequently produced in rocks, includes moonstone. Feldspar makes up around half of the Earth’s crust. In addition to being present in numerous igneous and metamorphic rocks, this mineral makes up a sizable portion of soils and marine clays.
Gem feldspar variants like moonstone, labradorite, amazonite, and sunstone are the result of rare geological circumstances. They appear as huge, spotless mineral grains and are present in deep crustal rocks and pegmatites, which are igneous rocks with coarse grains. Aluminosilicatesminerals with aluminum, silicon, and oxygenthat are combined with sodium and potassium are what make up feldspars of gem quality. Sri Lanka produces the best moonstones. Additionally, they can be found in India, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), and the Alps.
Moonstone lore
It was believed until the 16th century that the moonstone’s appearance changed according to the moon’s phases, according to the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny. The moon goddess Diana’s likeness was supposedly contained within the stone, according to ancient Romans. People who wore moonstones were said to experience victory, good health, and knowledge.
The moonstone is frequently exhibited on a yellow fabric in India since the color yellow is revered as a sacred one. The spirit that resides inside the stone is thought to be responsible for the stone’s luck-bringing properties.
Or select alexandrite as your June birthstone
The alexandrite is the third birthstone for June. Alexandrite has a charming, chameleon-like temperament. It has a lovely green hue in the daylight, occasionally with a bluish or brownish tint. The stone, however, changes color to a reddish-violet or violet under artificial lighting.
The mineral beryllium aluminum oxide, also known as alexandrite, is a member of the chrysoberyl family and comprises the elements beryllium, aluminum, and oxygen (BeAl2O4). The only minerals harder than it are corundum and diamonds (sapphires and rubies). The presence of chromium in alexandrite is what gives the stone its unique hues. Chrysoberyl is found to crystallize in pegmatites, which are beryllium-rich, very coarse-grained igneous rocks that formed from magma. They can also be found in alluvial deposits, which are pegmatites that have weathered and include gemstones, and are transported by rivers and streams.
Alexandrite is rare and expensive
Because it is a rare stone, alexandrite is quite pricey. Today, the majority of alexandrite comes from Sri Lanka, but it has also been discovered in Brazil, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Myanmar (Burma). A synthetic alexandrite that resembles a reddish-purple amethyst with a hint of green has been created in the meantime. Natural and artificial illumination do not cause the artificial stones’ colors to shift. Additionally, the artificial stones have only had sporadic market success in the US.
History of June birthstone alexandrite
Prince Alexander of Russia, who succeeded Czar Alexander II in 1855, is honored by the epithet “Alexandrite.” In an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains of Russia, alexandrite was discovered in 1839 on the prince’s birthday.
There hasn’t had much time for myth and superstition to develop around this remarkable stone because of how recently it was discovered. Because it reflected the green and red colors of the Russian flag and was thought to bring luck, the stone was also well-liked in Russia.
What shade is the birthstone moonstone?
Moonstone is a type of feldspar that ranges in color from clear to blue-white or peach and is named for its similarity to the iridescent sheen of the moon. It also represents longevity and good health.
Some prehistoric cultures thought the moonstone could even turn a person invisible, and they revered it as a sacred stone. According to legend, if you place a moonstone in your mouth during a full moon, you will be able to predict the future.
Looking for more information on gemstones? Consult the Guide to Gemstones published by the Gem Institute of America!
Which sign is not advised to wear moonstone?
The Moon and Mercury do not get along. Therefore, pairing the stone of Mercury, emerald, with a moonstone or pearl is never advised. Date of Birth and Lucky Stone for Cancer (22nd June 22nd July) Moon is in charge of those born under the sign of Cancer.
In whom should moonstone not be worn?
Moonstone with cat’s eye and hessonite shouldn’t be worn together. Moonstone is supposedly not for women, despite the fact that it empowers the feminine. Men can achieve a sense of balance in their lives by using their feminine force. This stone should not be worn by Gemini.
A birthstone for each zodiac sign?
Each of the Zodiac’s 12 signs has a corresponding stone. The month or time frame of a person’s birth determines their Zodiac sign. Each sign is associated with a birthstone, which is frequently worn as jewelry.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
All gemstones, especially expensive gemstones, are thought to be relatively rare, yet some birthstones are more common than others. Although some highly expensive stones are not that rare, and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
An intriguing technique to select jewelry is by birthstone. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
What does the moonstone represent?
Moonstone and other “lit stones” were considered lucky in Eastern societies. Its surface’s shifting white reflections, or adularescence as gemologists refer to them, gave off the impression that a strong, upright soul resided there.
The moonstone was highly revered in India. This gem had to rest on a yellow fabric in order to be shown for sale by merchants. The color yellow was extremely sacred.