What Month Is Pearl Birthstone? All About June’s Timeless Gem

If you're one of the lucky ones and have a birth date in June, your birthstone is none other than the ageless pearl. Most birthstones develop deep in the earth. 

Pearls form in a unique environment: the ocean. They develop naturally inside living shells. Due to its organic origin, pearls are one of the most fascinating stones in the universe.

For ages, pearls have stood for purity, intelligence, and refinement in different cultures. Worn by monarchs, style icons, and jewelry enthusiasts, they have been a valued part of human society for centuries. 

Let's journey through the wondrous world of pearls and discover why June's birthstone is such a marvel.

How Are Pearls Formed?

Pearls are naturally formed when an irritant, a small grain of sand, for instance, or a parasite, enters a mollusk’s shell. A mollusk reacts by creating a smooth, shiny layer. 

This layer is a type of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which covers the irritant. Layer over layer, over the years, a pearl will form.

The process is simple, but a period of several months to years can go by before a pearl can mature to its full potential. Their quality, size, and luster depend on several factors. These include species of mollusk, water, and duration of nacre deposition.

Types of Pearls

Pearls come in different types, each with its own unique characteristics. The two main categories are natural pearls and cultured pearls.

Natural Pearls

These occur naturally without any human input. They are formed when an irritant gets into the mantle of a mollusk. Because they are so rare, natural pearls can be worth a lot of money and are considered collectibles.

Cultured Pearls

Today, many of the pearls that people wear are cultured pearls. The credit for this discovery goes to Kokichi Mikimoto, who made history in the pearl industry. 

To help cultured pearls grow, small particles or implants are put inside the mollusks. Although aided by man, the process of pearl formation remains one hundred percent natural.

There are different varieties of cultured pearls available, such as:

• Akoya Pearls: These have a high shine and come in traditional white or light cream colors.
• Tahitian Pearls: This type is popular for having unique shades such as black, green, or peacock-colored ones.
• South Sea Pearls: They are very big and expensive; available colors include white, silver, and gold.
• Freshwater Pearls: Cheap options that can be easily obtained. They may come in many different shapes or colors than one alone could count on seeing at any given time!

Where Are Pearls Found?

Pearls come from various regions around the world. They can be either saltwater or freshwater pearls.

Saltwater Pearls

• Akoya Pearls: These pearls are famous for their shiny appearances and very close to being round shapes. They are mainly seen in Japan and China.

• Tahitian Pearls: In French Polynesia's warm waters, there is a special kind of cultured pearl known as Tahitian. It is distinct for being naturally black or gray in color and not white like other pearls.

• South Sea Pearls: The largest and most valuable pearls. They are highly esteemed for their silky appearances. These pearls are harvested from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Freshwater Pearls

Mostly produced in China, freshwater pearls come in various colors, shapes and sizes. Unlike saltwater pearls, they grow in mussels and one mussel can give many pearls at a time.

Pearl cultivation requires clean water. Mollusks are delicate creatures. They need clean environments and plenty of food to stay healthy. This helps them produce high-quality pearls. In fact, pearl farming is an eco-friendly form of aquaculture. It usually encourages sustainability.

The History and Symbolism of Pearls

Pearls have had their place in various global cultures for ages. Their elegance is why they have continued being linked with wealth, intelligence and innocence for so many centuries.

Ancient Beliefs & Myths:

• Greek Mythology: In Greek mythology, pearls are seen as god’s teardrops, symbolizing love and being young.
• Chinese Folklore: According to Chinese folklore, pearls were known to be obtained from the brain of the dragon. It was very intelligent and protected mankind from all evil.
• Julius Caesar: He made a decree during Ancient Rome that only aristocrats could wear pearls. It highlights the pearl’s importance as a symbol of wealth at that time.
• Cleopatra: According to legend, the queen of Egypt once dissolved a priceless pearl in vinegar. She swallowed it in front of Marcus Antonius. This way, she demonstrated her wealth and supremacy over him.

Hollywood & Modern Icons

Many fashion icons have worn pearls:

• Coco Chanel: Made pearls a symbol of women's elegance.
• Jackie Kennedy: The famous first lady known with triple-strand pearls.
• Audrey Hepburn: Remembered for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
• Michelle Obama: The First Lady is an example of a woman who dresses elegantly in pearls.

Symbolism

These jewels stand for purity, wisdom, love and wealth. They are popular for different events. Consider weddings, graduation parties, and anniversaries. The reason is that they signify a fresh start and important events.

What Is the June Birthstone Color?

Even though pearls are mostly linked with being of a pure white color, they can also be found in other colors, such as:

• White and Cream: These are the most traditional and widely recognized colors.
• Gold and Silver: Found in South Sea pearls, these shades exude luxury.
• Black: Tahitian pearls offer stunning dark shades, from deep black to peacock green.
• Pink, Blue, and Green: Freshwater pearls can display a range of pastel hues.

Overtones & Orient

• Rosé (pinkish in color): Most valued in white pearls with a warm, rosy glow
• Green/Peacock: In pearls of Tahitian origin, it forms a deep, rich overcolour.
• Orient: A rare, rainbow-colored glow in baroque pearls, prized for its iridescence.

Are Pearls Durable?

Pearls are fragile when compared to other gemstones, and they have a hardness of about 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale. Therefore, they need special attention so as not to lose their beauty.

Tips on how to care for and clean pearls

• Store them separately: Store pearls in a soft pouch to avoid scratching them.
• Keep chemicals away: Hairspray, cosmetics, and fragrances can spoil pearls.
• Wipe off when wearing: Wipe with a soft cloth to remove oils and grime.
• Keep them moist: Regularly wearing pearls is a good idea. They stay moist and maintain their luster from touching your body.
• Restringing necklaces: Do at least a year, and even more frequently when worn regularly, to avert breakage.

The Modern Resurgence of Pearls

Gone are the days when pearls were only meant for serious events. They are back in fashion, especially among leading fashion designers and icons.

Fashion Trends

• Layered pearl necklaces: Pearls can be mixed with chains to make a very new vintage punk look.
• Baroque pearls: These pearls are in high demand because of their different and unique shapes. They make someone look very fashionable.
• Gender-neutral pearls: Many famous male celebrities wear pearls. This debunks the myth that pearls are only meant for women.
• Pearl hoop earrings and ear cuffs: They are simple and elegant, thus the best option for any occasion.
• Casual pearl wear: Wearing pearls with jeans, blazers, and street clothing is a cool and relaxed style.

How to Buy Pearl Jewelry

It is essential for one to be aware of what makes pearls valuable when buying pearl jewelry.

The 7 Pearl Value Factors

• Luster: This refers to the shine or dullness of the pearl and the clarity of images seen on the pearl’s surface. A pearl is said to be high quality if it has high luster.
• Surface Quality: The pearl is said to be less valuable when it has many imperfections.
• Shape: It is not common and cheap to get round pearls. So, they cost more. But baroque pearls are also unique and highly priced.
• Size: This is measured by millimeters. Generally speaking, bigger pearls cost more money.
• Color: This consists of the body color, overtone, and orient. It depends on one's taste.
• Nacre Thickness: The thickness of the nacre is said to make the pearl "strong enough" and give a better luster.
• Matching: When there is uniformity in terms of size, shape, and color in pearl strands or earrings, they are said to be at their best.

Buying Tips

• If you prefer classic beauty, go for Akoya pearls.
• For jewels that speak volumes, one should go for Tahitian or South Sea pearls.
• Freshwater pearls are a good option because they are cheap and available in many different styles.
• To keep them from breaking, always restring pearl necklaces at least once each year.

Conclusion

In which month does the pearl birthstone fall? June! Pearls are not only pretty but also very historical and cultural gems. 

It does not matter if you have a June birthday or there is some other reason for celebration. Or maybe you just want to buy some jewelry. In all these cases pearl is a timeless treasure.

These gems have served as a symbol of purity and innocence throughout history. Today, they have continued to maintain their place in the market as one of the most fashionable items around the world. So, put some history around your neck and feel the magic of pearls!