June Birthstone: Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite
If you or a loved one were born in the month of June, you actually have three birthstones to choose from: moonstone, pearl, and alexandrite. Each June birthstone has its own unique beauty, meaning, and come in a variety of colors. If you are buying jewelry, more options can make it more difficult to make a decision. But, hopefully, this article will help you narrow down to which June birthstone is the perfect gift for you or your loved one.
People born in June are known for being strong, clever, and level-headed, but forget their birthday, and they'll bear a grudge forever. It can be tricky to think up the perfect gift, but you can never go wrong with June birthstone jewelry. But what is the June birthstone color and what will be the best gifts to shock and impress your June-born loved ones?
Types of June Birthstone
Since June is a tricky birth month when it comes to selecting jewelry, we are going to tell you all about the three types of June birthstone Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite and their:
- history
- meaning
- metaphysical properties
- Moonstone desirability
- and more!
By the end, you should be able to confidently choose between Moonstone, Pearl, and Alexandrite.
Over the Moon about Moonstone
With its iridescent properties, moonstone has been a favorite among jewelers as far back as ancient times. The translucency of the stone draws the eye in as light rolls across and bounces off unexpectedly. Believed to have magical properties, moonstone is not only known for its beauty but also its healing powers.
Why Moonstones Are Highly Coveted
Pearls are the traditional June's birthstone, with purple alexandrite the essential birthstone for royalty. But moonstone is a modern version of the June birthstone that can be carved and polished into all types of beautiful moonstone jewelry,including earrings, bangles, necklaces, and rings.
Moonstones may also vary in color, from blue to pink, peach, green, and even colorless, but creamy white is the most popular and matches with June's white birthstone color. But moonstones are anything but plain, as they emit a special opalescent glow that matches with most wardrobe options.
Each polished moonstone cabochon glows with pastel colors of the rainbow. In fact, two cut gemstones of the same size will never match the other. Moonstone jewelry is also the more modern choice over opal which is prohibitively expensive and overrated.
Moonstone is classified as a gem rather than a rock, because it possesses the hardness of 6.0 on the MOHS scale, meaning that it can be cut and polished for jewelry, and is durable enough to be worn all day, every day.
Moonstones can be more precious than diamonds, and the proof can be seen with celebrities that wear moonstone jewelry. We all remember Michelle Obama and her moonstone brooch and moonstone diamond earrings, or more recently, Hannah Brownstone's elegant moonstone ring worn on the Bachelorette.
The History of Moonstone Jewelry
Moonstone jewelry has been popular throughout history. The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that the moonstones derived their opalescence from the moon, hence the name. In our more recent history, moonstone jewelry was popularized during the Art Nouveau period with Rene Lalique embedding moonstones within his own artistic creations.
Moonstones are mined from around the world, including Switzerland, Australia, India, and even the USA. It's not surprising that moonstone was the chosen gem for the Moon landings back in the 60s, or that it's also Florida's state gemstone. But curiously, there are no moonstone mines in Florida.
For those who practice mysticism and the occult, you'll be curious to learn that moonstones were used as protection by sailors on the sea due to its water element. Still, moonstones are used for good fortune and to provide clairvoyance in India. They are also used for love rituals and to gain wisdom.
Impress with the Best Moonstone Jewelry
Moonstone gemstones are a favorite of Nina Wynn and her customers. She captures their beauty within different types of precious metals, such as 18K gold, fine silver, and black-silver. Her moonstone jewelry designs also include gems in a rainbow of colors.
It's hard to go wrong with moonstone because of its other-worldly luminescence. There is something mesmerizing about the way it captures the light. If giving moonstone jewelry as a gift, it's easy to relate its qualities to your appreciation of the beauty and the attraction you feel for your loved one.
Moonstone collection
A Pearl of a Jewel
Pearls have been treasured by many people for thousands of years. They are often referred to as the "Queen of Jewels" because they have captivated people since they were first discovered. While other gemstones are naturally found in the Earth's crust, pearls are the only gems that are created by a living creature. Perhaps the most incredible fact about pearls is that they are only contained in about 1 in every 10,000 oysters. Hence, natural pearls are extremely rare!
Why Jewelry Pearls Represent Class and Grace
Pearls can drastically change the look of an outfit and give off different signals depending on what you're going for. However, the most common representations people equate to pearls is class and grace. Though all types of women wear these precious gems, pearls have been regarded as prized possessions since ancient times by royalty and celebrities. Some examples of famous pearl aficionados are Nancy Pelosi, Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Ivanka Trump, Michelle Obama, and Queen Elizabeth II. When added to a dressy outfit, nothing says class and grace like a beautiful pearl necklace. Pearls have a simple, yet elegant look that can tie together basically any outfit.
Give the Gift of Hollywood Glam with Jewelry Pearls
As we mentioned, pearls are a favorite of royalty and celebrities. So, when looking for a perfect gift of Hollywood glam, pearls are an ideal option. When you gift these gems, the person wearing them will feel like they belong in Hollywood among the rest of the famous women who embrace their beauty.
Alexandrite the Great
Gem aficionados often refer to alexandrite as an "emerald by day, ruby by night," as it is an extremely rare color-changing mineral. It was discovered in the 1830s inside the Ural Mountains in Russia. This gemstone got its name from Czar Alexander II, and is still found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa today. Alexandrite is not only rare but hugely valuable as well.
Choosing Between Moonstone, Pearl, or Alexandrite
Choosing between moonstone, pearl, and alexandrite can be difficult. These three gemstones are unique and beautiful in their own ways. So, the choice is going to come down to personal preference and budget. In terms of budget, moonstone and pearls are much more affordable than alexandrite.
However, when it comes to personal preference, everyone's taste is different. For instance, one person may prefer an opaque moonstone while another prefers black Tahitian pearls. Moonstone and alexandrite are available in a variety of colors and clarity. The deeper the colors and clearer the stone, the higher the price. Pearls are available in just about any color, so they are very versatile, though white is the most common.
Regardless of the choice, you can't go wrong with any of June's birthstones. And with Nina Wynn's moonstone reversible huggies, you can get two earrings in one!
Ethically Sourced Jewelry by Nina Wynn
Whenever buying jewelry, there is one last thing you should always consider: are the materials ethically sourced? The beauty of jewelry should not be sullied by unethical sourcing of the gems and metals used to create it. Many jewelers, like Nina Wynn, take pride in creating beautiful jewelry with equally beautiful history behind it.
Please be sure to always take your jewelry shopping one step further by researching which options are ethically sourced.
