Pearl, alexandrite and moonstone - June's Birthstones

Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone, the birthstones of June

“See these pearls that long have slept, these were tears by Naiads wept…”
 - Sir Walter Scott

Welcome to June, the bridge between spring and summer.

June also boasts the most versatile birthstones with three options to chose from; pearls, alexandrite and moonstone.

~ Junes' three birthstones, photo curtesy of Stuller

Pearls are the only organic birthstone, made of calcium carbonate, or nacre. These lustrous gemstones come from certain oysters, with several types and colors available. From freshwater pearls or the classic Akoya, to stunning South Sea pearls and of course the ‘queen of pearls’, black Tahitian pearls, there is pearl for every look.

Pearls have a long history with many myths surrounding them from every continent.

~ Classic strand of cultured pearls

In the French Polynesia, where dark colored Tahitian pearls come from, it is said that in the 1800s Aimata Pōmare IV Vahine-o-Punuateraʻitua (Queen Pomare) was found playing marbles with black pearls. She also reportedly wore a necklace of ‘extremely large’ Tahitian pearls.

~ Ring featuring a Tahitian pearl, by Denny Wong

The Romans valued the gem greatly and used it in everything from jewelry to clothing to even placing it into furniture. They considered it to be the chosen gemstone of the goddess Venus, and stated that pearls were a needed ingredient to make love potions.

Chinese mythology says that pearls are the tears of the sky dragon or the rain god that fall into the sea from above.

While in Japan, there is a legend of a mermaid like deity named Ningyo, who gave warnings and advice to others. Her tears were said to be pearls, and in one story, she used them to buy her freedom after getting caught in a fisherman’s net.

~ Freshwater pearl bracelet by Imperial Deltah, and pearl earrings by Amali

There is a pearl, although not of gem quality, that came from a giant clam and measures over 9 inches and weighs 14 pounds. It is known as The Pearl of Lao Tzu.

Alexandrite is a stunning gemstone from the Chrysoberyl family.

Although the exact date is unknown, it is widely said that alexandrite was discovered in 1834. Originally, it was thought to be emerald due to the color, but this was quickly proven false when the colors of the stones changed.

~ Image depicting the colors of alexandrite, photo curtesy of Stuller

Once it was discovered by a Finnish mineralogist in Russia, it caused quite a stir. The stone’s colors, green and red, show the colors of the Russian flag, and therefore the gem was immediately treasured and praised, named after Alexander the I and the soon to be Alexander the II, in honor.

While the stone is still mined in Russia today, many of the gems come from Brazil.

The color change effect is caused by chromium, and allows the stone to appear bluish-green in ‘cool’ light (fluorescent, daylight), then shift to purplish-red in ‘warm’ light (incandescent light, candlelight). While this effect can vary in exact hues and tones as well as intensity, it is a natural phenomenon.

~ Alexandrite ring by David Kord and bracelet by Stanton Color

The final birthstone is moonstone, a member of the wide-ranging feldspar group. While feldspar is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, it has some of the strangest family members.

When moonstone crystals form, they have ‘gaps’ where light rays enter and scatter. This creates a ‘shimmer’ effect on the surface of the stone. This effect is called adularescence.

~ Photomicrograph of adularescence, photo by Isabelle Corvin

The name moonstone is apt, as the scattering of light is caused by a similar effect that the moon’s rays have on Earth’s atmosphere. When light hits, it splits. The effect visible on moonstone’s surface is often describe as looking like moonlight through clouds, and that couldn’t be more accurate!

Many stories speak of how a moonstone’s appearance and supposed magical powers would wax and wan with the phases of the moon; a full moon was the most powerful and would make the stones the most brilliant, while a new moon made moonstone useless and dull.

~ Moonstone ring featuring a faceted moonstone, manufactured by Panowicz Jewelers

Moonstone was especially important in many Hindu myths. They believed that moonstones were the crystallized beams from the moon that fell to Earth and ‘froze’. They saw the stone as a good luck charm, as well as a wonderful gift for young couples either right before a wedding, or on the wedding day.

Many cultures speak on moonstone’s usefulness as an aid in traveling by night, especially if on a boat, for calm waters and peaceful rest.

Moonstone is also said to be a wonderful sleep aid and to guard against insomnia.

~ Moonstone earrings by Jorge Revilla

June arrives as the seasons turn, bringing the opportunity for a choice of birthstones! Whether you decide on traditional, classic pearl, unique and modern alexandrite, or mysterious and ethereal moonstone, you can’t go wrong. 

~Blog by Isabelle Corvin, Staff Gemologist and Merchandising Manager at Panowicz Jewelers