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June babies are spoilt for choice with the beautiful pearl birthstone.
June’s birthstone, pearl, has long been a symbol of purity. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy from Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Moonstone is also the birthstone of June - a healing and captivating gem with its playful lighting. In India, moonstone is said to possess a spirit within that brings good fortune.
Pearls are the only gemstones made by living creatures. Molluscs produce pearls by depositing layers of calcium carbonate around microscopic irritants—usually a grain of sand, as it’s commonly believed—that get lodged in their shells.
Appropriately, the name “pearl” comes from the Old French perle, from the Latin perna meaning “leg,” referencing the leg-of-mutton shape of an open mollusk shell. Because perfectly round, smooth, natural pearls are so uncommon, the word “pearl” can refer to anything rare and valuable.
The finest pearls have a naturally reflective luster, making them appear creamy white with an iridescent sheen that casts many colourful hues. Cultured freshwater pearls can also be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple or black.
