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.
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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.
What color birthstone is for June?
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.
Is Alexandrite or pearl the birthstone for June?
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.
What was the original birthstone for June?
Biblical times are where the concept of birthstones originated. According to the Bible, Moses recounts the ceremonial priest’s robe in the book of Exodus. It was to be created for his high priest older brother, Aaron. He instructs them to set twelve different gemstones on the breastplate. Consequently, each representing one of Israel’s twelve tribes.
And the stones will bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, each with its own name, engraved in accordance with its name, just like the engravings on a signet. 28:21 in Exodus
A Romano-Jewish historian from the first century was named Titus Flavius Josephus. He was the first to link the twelve gemstones to the twelve signs of the zodiac. the twelve months of the Roman calendar in the future. All twelve gemstones were traditionally owned and worn once a month for millennia. Custom then changed. Instead, you were only required to wear the birthstone for the entire year.
BirthstonesDifferent Now
It’s still up for contention which particular gemstones were first included in the list of twelve. The material in different copies of the Bible varies, and it’s also quite challenging to interpret. This is mostly because there was limited knowledge of minerals throughout the period of the Bible. As a result, the descriptions were frequently wrong.
Up to 1912, numerous birthstone combinations were utilized. The American National Jewelers’ Association afterwards compiled the initial recognized list. This list is considered to be the most reliable source, although having little to do with the original collection of gemstones mentioned in the Bible.
A few modifications to the list have been made since 1912. discusses June birthstones specifically. The only birthstones designated for the month of June in the initial list were pearl and moonstone. A century after its first discovery, alexandrite was likewise included on the list in 1952. Thus, there are three exquisite diamonds available for June babies. In the following section, we will examine each of them in more detail.
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.
Are there two birthstones for June?
Birthstones have a long and fascinating history. The connection between the twelve stones that Aaron wore on his breastplate, the twelve months of the year, and the signs of the Zodiac was first made in Biblical times. Religious agreements from the eighth and ninth centuries stipulated that followers of both the Jewish and Christian faiths would possess all twelve stones and wear a different one every month. Then, a few centuries ago, people started to wear a single stone as a reminder of the month in which they were born.
The National Association of Jewelers of America convened in 1912 to discuss birthstone standardization. The birthstones for June at this period were determined to be pearl and moonstone. The Jewelry Industry Council of America later included alexandrite to this list in 1952.
The pearl is the only gem that originates from a living thing and the only gem that doesn’t need to be polished or altered to show off its inherent beauty. Since ancient times, people have sought pearls. The 1500s in Tudor England were known as the “Pearl Age” because of the popularity of pearls at that time. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls (pearls grown under closely watched conditions by pearl farmers) have largely supplanted natural pearls in the market, where they were originally the only kind used as accessories.
The modern and uncommon gemstone known as alexandrite was given that name in honor of Alexander II, the Czar of the time it was discovered in Russia in 1831. Crysoberyl, the mineral that makes up alexandrite, gives the material a green look in daylight and fluorescent lighting, but when exposed to incandescent light, it takes on a reddish-purple hue.
You’re in luck if you’re buying jewelry for a June birthday because you have not one, not two, but three stone options to choose from. Check out the fantastic collection at Stones Jewelry if you need direction or help. Since 1911, we’ve been in the birthday business and would be delighted to assist you in finding the ideal present.
What does June’s crystal represent?
Alexandrite and pearl are the two birthstones for June birthdays. Due to their inherent beauty, pearls have been used in jewelry for many years. Gemstones made of alexandrite are exceedingly rare and prized because they change color depending on the illumination.
What is the value of June’s birthstone?
Alexandrite, the birthstone for June, is an extremely uncommon gem. As a result, they may be highly costly. Furthermore, as they approach a full carat in size, their cost increases significantly. Want to get a rough sense of its cost? Up to one carat of fine-quality alexandrite sells for between $2500 and $15,000 per carat. Additionally, costs for diamonds larger than one carat can range from $50,000 to over $70,000 per carat.
Alexandrite, which replaced the traditional pearl as June’s birthstone in the 1950s, is a gemstone. (An alternative birthstone for June is moonstone.) Additionally, the stone for the 45th and 55th wedding anniversaries is Alexandrite.
Where is the birthstone for June?
The pearl is the birthstone for June. Pearls have an organic origin, in contrast to the majority of gemstones that are discovered on Earth. They develop inside specific types of oyster and clam shells. Some pearls are discovered naturally in mollusks that live in freshwater environments like rivers or the ocean.
What birthstone falls under May and June?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.