The Alexandrite is the birthstone most commonly associated with June, while the month also features the Pearl, Moonstone, and Moonstone as birthstones.
When it was believed that alexandrite was more common than pearls, it took the place of the pearl as the birthstone.
That is not the situation today.
High-grade alexandrite is incredibly uncommon and in high demand.
The stone’s propensity to alter color under incandescent light has made it famous. It is a greenish blue stone.
From green to crimson to purple, it changes.
Typically, alexandrite gemstones weigh up to 5 carats. Larger stones are really difficult to find. When crafting jewelry, some people take into account alternate birthstones such moonstones or pearls, or the potential of fusing alexandrite with other jewels, as this month’s birthstone can be challenging to find.
In This Article...
What exactly is the June birthstone?
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
Pearls are among the most expensive gemstones due to their distinctively delicate translucence and shine. The type of mollusk that created the pearl as well as its surroundings affect the hue. 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. Oriental pearls, which are superb cream-colored pearls, are well-known to come from Sri Lanka and the Persian Gulf. 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 produce pearls can be found in Bavaria, Germany, along the Mississippi River and in forested streams.
Also popular are beautiful cultured pearls
Japanese cultivated pearls are highly regarded. Additionally, everyone who is familiar with jewelry has heard of Mikimoto pearls, which were named after Kokichi Mikimoto, who founded the business. In Japanese waters, huge oyster beds support the growth of cultured pearls. In the fleshy region of 2- to 3-year-old oysters, a “irritant is injected, such as a tiny chunk 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. Indian warriors used pearls to decorate their swords to represent the tears and sadness that a blade conveys.
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. As early as 2000 B.C., pearls were also utilized as medicine in China, where they were symbolic of riches, power, and longevity. 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. Moonstones are thought to have bluish-white specks inside of them that 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. The crust of the Earth is made up of feldspar to a degree. In addition to being present in numerous igneous and metamorphic rocks, this mineral makes up a sizable portion of soils and marine clays.
Gem variants of feldspar including moonstone, labradorite, amazonite, and sunstone are created under uncommon 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. Moonstones from Sri Lanka are the greatest. 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.
Because of how recently this stone was found, there hasn’t been much time for myth and superstition to develop. The stone was especially well-liked in Russia since it reflected the country’s colors, green and red, and was thought to bring luck.
June, are you an Alexandrite?
Near the Tokovaya River in Russia, emerald mines held the discovery of alexandrite in 1830. It just so happened that Prince Alexander II of Russia’s birthday fell on the day the gemstone was found. The miners who first discovered alexandrite thought of it as a wonderful gem. According to tradition, an emerald miner in the mountains would study his finds by the campfire at night and would find them to be a vivid shade of red. The stones once more seemed green in the daylight as morning arrived.
Since June’s birthstone’s changing colors matched those of Old Imperial Russia’s military uniforms, the birthstone was given the name Alexandrite in 1839. The Russian nobility finally made alexandrite one of their most prized gemstones. Before other deposits in the island south of India and what is now Sri Lanka were found, Russia quickly mined almost all of the alexandrite it had to give.
It’s interesting to note that America’s Tiffany jewelry firm popularized alexandrite when George Kunz, the company’s expert gem buyer, visited Russia and returned with enough alexandrite to dominate the market for years. Until more deposits were discovered in Brazil, on the border of Tanzania and Mozambique, and in other locations, alexandrite was thought to be extremely rare during the most of the 1900s.
Mystical Powers
People who hold alexandrite are said to experience luck, love, and good fortune. Many people think that the stone promotes harmony and activity in both the material and heavenly realms. Since the crown chakra and alexandrite are intimately related, many people think that alexandrite fosters a strong feeling of creativity, imagination, intuition, and love of the cosmos. Alexandrite is renowned for bringing happiness, meaning, and optimism. According to those who practice crystal therapy, alexandrite can encourage healing in the tissues of the pancreas, spleen, and nervous system.
Physical Properties
Chrysoberyl is a form of mineral with iron, titanium, and chromium that includes alexandrite. These components work together to affect the color of the object’s green. One of the most costly gemstones on the globe, alexandrite has a hardness rating of 8.5, making it just slightly softer than corundum and diamond. The value of the stone increases with how difficult it is to look through it. The stone’s hue can be nearly as intense as an emerald, but it is typically more brownish or yellowish green. Additionally, it has a crimson appearance that is better described as columbine, raspberry, garnet, or ruby.
The miners who observed the stone transform from green to red were correct; Alexandrite undergoes color shift when exposed to a source of intense red light. Pleochroism is the name for this “metamorphosis. The stones with the most pronounced color variations are more valued. The most valuable Alexandrite comes from Brazil, where it changes color completely.
What are the June birthstones’ two colors?
birthstones for June
- The opalescent pearl, milky moonstone, and rare, color-changing alexandrite are all birthstones for June. People born in June have a wide range of pricing ranges and color possibilities, making it possible to find the perfect gemstone for any occasion or price range.
Is the gemstone for June a diamond?
The three lovely birthstones that June shares with August and December are alexandrite, moonstone, and pearls, allowing those who were born in June a wide variety of birthstone jewelry alternatives. A considerate present that is both meaningful and lovely is birthstone jewelry.
What hue is June’s stone?
Alexandrite with Pearl for June June’s birthstones are as distinctive as they come because she has two, Pearl & Alexandrite, as her birthstones. The Alexandrite is incredibly uncommon and capable of “color-changing,” appearing green in natural light and shifting to a purple-red hue in incandescent or artificial light.
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.
Are Pearls a June thing?
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.
Alexandrite’s meaning?
Alexandrite is a gemstone with variable colors that shifts from a deep aqua green to a magenta to a lavender eggplant purple. The gemstone of good fortune, wealth, and intelligence is alexandrite. It can help you find the balance of who you are by representing the harmony between the physical and the spiritual.
The gemstone alexandrite is quite recent. In the 1830s, it was discovered in Russia. Due to the stone’s rich green color and the fact that the miners were actively looking for emeralds at the time, they initially believed it to be one. They didn’t realize they had found a brand-new gemstone until the light shifted and the stone became purple. Because its red and green hues mirrored those of Imperial Russia, it was given the name “Alexandrite” in honor of Alexander the II, the Tzar of Russia.
Today, however, the majority of alexandrites are from Brazil, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. In a laboratory, alexandrites can also be grown.
What does a birthstone for June mean?
According to astrology, the pearl is the birthstone for June. Additionally, they claim that the stone is in harmony with the Gemini zodiac sign. People have long held the notion that pearls offer serenity, love, luck, and knowledge.
Their white color is linked to purity and brightness. The birthstone pearl is hence symbolic of purity and sincerity. It is believed that wearing it as your birthstone can bring love and luck to new life starts like marriage, home moves, and infants.
