June Birthstones: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone

If you’re born in June, then you are lucky enough to be born in one of two months that enjoy three birthstones! Those born in both June and December have the luxury of choosing among more than one birthstone. If you crave happiness, success, good fortune, and wisdom, you’re in for a world of wellness with these gemstones!

What are the June Birthstones?

The birthstones for June are Pearl, Alexandrite and the Moonstone. 

Each stone has its own unique history, as well as meanings and symbolisms. In this article, we’re taking you through all three birthstones, so keep reading to find out more!

June Birthstone #1: Pearl

Our first June Birthstone, Pearls are truly unique because they're an organic gemstone, meaning they form within the shell of a living creature. 

Mollusks live in the shorelines and sea beds of oceans or rivers, and when an irritant like a sand grain or small pebble gets into a mollusk's shell, it secretes layers around it to protect itself.

To stop the irritation, the mollusk blankets the irritant in calcium carbonate. After a year or two of covering the irritant, the once pesky grain of sand is now a glistening, milky pearl!

History & Origins

As an organic gemstone, there’s not much to say about the origin of Pearls. They form in oysters and are collected by humans. 

Throughout history, our perceptions of pearls have changed. Previously, pearls were thought of as some of the most valuable stones around. 

They were exceptionally rare in the 1900s and thus commanded a price that only saw society's wealthiest members wearing them. Today though, pearls are quite common, and are used as accessories in jewelry such as necklaces. 

Meanings & Symbolism

The tedious process of growing a pearl explains why this June birthstone represents wisdom gained through experience. Pearls also represent serenity, and people gravitate toward them for their calming effects.

Throughout history, people have found healing by wearing pearls to treat upset stomachs and digestive tract issues. In ancient Egyptian culture and Chinese cultures, pearl powder served as a powerful tonic for soothing irritated skin and acne.

Have you ever noticed that pearls evoke femininity? Because of their luminous appearance, people naturally liken pearls to the moon. Their watery origins bring to mind the sea, beauty, and purity, all traditionally female-centered features. These beliefs are why pearl jewelry is a popular bridal gift.

Care

As an organic gemstone, Pearls need plenty of fresh air. So, we encourage you to wear them as much as you like. 

One downside of this birthstone, however, is that they are absorbent. This means that they are likely to absorb any personal care products that you may have applied to your skin e.g. sunscreen. As such, our advice is for you to wait approximately 30 minutes before you wear your pearls if there’s anything else on your skin.

After wearing your June birthstone, we recommend that you wipe them down using a soft damp cloth, and then hand dry it using a dry one. Also, avoid wearing pearls alongside other jewelry, as this may cause scratching. 

Learn more about Pearl

June birthstone #2: Alexandrite

Out of all three June birthstones, Alexandrite most aligns with the zodiac descriptors for Gemini, June's astrological sign.

The symbol for Gemini is twins because Geminis often have a noticeable duality in their personality traits. Similarly, Alexandrite has been called the chameleon stone because of its ability to change colors in the light.

In daylight, Alexandrite appears to be vibrant green or teal. Come nightfall, the stone's colors deepen to a vibrant red or purple. As you can see, this dual nature of color-shifting illuminates the contrasting qualities of Alexandrite and Geminis.

In daylight, Alexandrite appears to be vibrant green or teal. Come nightfall, the stone's colors deepen to a vibrant red or purple. As you can see, this dual nature of color-shifting illuminates the contrasting qualities of Alexandrite and Geminis.

History & Origins

Discovered in 1830 in Russia's emerald mines, Alexandrite quickly became the favorite stone of the Russian Aristocracy. Because of their popularity, practically all of Russia's Alexandrite was mined during the 19th Century. By luck or cosmic intervention, Alexandrite nearly went extinct until miners discovered a massive deposit in Sri Lanka.

Meanings & Symbolism

As such, the Alexandrite birthstone symbolizes good luck and fortune. Because of its ability to be two colors at once, many believe Alexandrite neutralizes stressful situations with balance. Often associated with the Crown Chakra, this mystical June birthstone forges a lifeline with the universe to harness intuition, imagination, and creativity.  

It's easy to see that Alexandrite is a striking jewel, but did you know it has many powerful healing properties? Due to their ability to restore inner strength and physical energy, many give them to those recovering from surgery or illness. Many practitioners of crystal healing use Alexandrite to assist with pancreatic, spleen, and neurological issues.

Care

The best way to clean Alexandrite is with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Though ultrasonic and steam cleaners are considered safe, it’s best to avoid these just to be completely sure that you won’t damage your June birthstone. 

Learn more about Alexandrite

June Birthstone #3: Moonstone

The last June birthstone on our list is the mesmerizing moonlit jewel, Moonstone. Where does this luminescent gemstone come from, if not tucked away in the starry sky?

A Roman natural historian named Pliny compared Moonstone's shifting quality to the moon's waning and waxing.

Moonstone is alluringly pale and known for its attractive pearly sheen. While it’s the least commercially valuable of June's birthstones, it might have the richest, and most romantic, history!

A Roman natural historian named Pliny compared Moonstone's shifting quality to the moon's waning and waxing.

Moonstone is alluringly pale and known for its attractive pearly sheen. While it’s the least commercially valuable of June's birthstones, it might have the richest, and most romantic, history!

History & Origins

Moonstones are sacred to Indian culture, and in Hindu mythology they are believed to be made of moonbeams. In Ancient Roman and Greek culture, this June birthstone was associated with Gods.

Today, Moonstones can be found in Brazil, Germany, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Srilanka, Tanzania and the United States.

Meanings & Symbolism

In Indian culture, Moonstones are commonly gifted to newlywed couples. In Middle Eastern cultures, people give Moonstone to couples trying to conceive, as it aids with fertility.

One of our favorite beliefs about Moonstone is that placing a piece of Moonstone in your mouth and gazing up at the moon reveals a vision of your future spouse in the sky.

Known as "the traveler's stone," this June birthstone has protective properties for travelers embarking on overnight journeys, especially while at sea. While most of us aren't privy to seafaring at night, Moonstone still provides guidance and clarity to those pursuing a mission.

Care

We recommend that you use warm soapy water to clean your Moonstone. You can also dry your moonstone with a soft cloth. We recommend avoiding ultrasonic and steam cleaners, as they may cause damage to your June birthstone. 

Learn more about the Moonstone

Conclusion

If you’re born in June or are looking to buy a June birthstone for someone who is, then we hope that our guide has been helpful. This is one of two months to be associated with three birthstones. If you’d like to shop for any of the three June birthstones then check out the links below.

SHOP FOR JUNE BIRTHSTONES

Moonstone

Pearls

Alexandrite