June's Birthstone | Pearl
What is the birthstone for June?
June’s birthstone is the elegant pearl. Adored for its pearly and iridescent lustre, this enchanting gemstone is a natural beauty; formed inside oysters and mussels. Not just for June, pearl jewellery is timeless and continues to be a trend over recent years. Also one of the must-have jewellery trends for 2023, pearls make the perfect fashionable finishing touch. See how celebs like Harry Styles and Sarah Jessica Parker are styling the trend here.
If you’ve ever wondered “where do pearls come from?” delve into the history of the pearl with us and discover why it’s one of the most loved gemstones, including the meaning behind the pearl. We also look at some of our favourite pieces that you’ll want in your jewellery box, whether you have a Gemini birthstone or not.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion this month, now is the perfect time to treat yourself or someone special to some stunning pearls.
What is the birthstone for Gemini?
The pearl is the Gemini birthstone, for those with the Zodiac sign of Gemini (21st May - 20th June). Other gemstones that represent the Gemini star sign are agate, emerald, alexandrite and ruby. It’s believed that wearing pearls will uplift a Gemini’s confidence and remove any negative influence from the planets.
June birthstone pearls can vary in colour, but each one is just as beautiful, with some pearls appearing creamier than others. With others having more of a pale-yellow glow, which makes it extra special to us in knowing not every pearl is the same. Black, grey and silver-coloured pearls are also fairly common.
What are pearls and where do they come from?
What are cultured pearls?
You may be wondering how are pearls made? Pearls are a beautiful and natural gem created by a living organism. For cultured pearls, a technician makes small incisions on the upper valver of a mussel and inserts a small piece of mantle tissue which begins to stimulate nacre production. This tissue then begins to dry up leaving behind a beautiful solid pearl in its place.
Most pearl jewellery today consists of cultured pearls, as completely natural pearls (that don’t need an incision) are very rare and demand a lot of money. They also make the perfect bridal jewellery with their classic and timeless look.
What are freshwater pearls?
Freshwater cultured pearls are formed within freshwater mussels. Usually they’re cultured within freshwater lakes and ponds. This is the most popular type of pearl within the jewellery industry, due to the amazing array of sizes and colours that can be cultured from a freshwater pearl.
Freshwater cultured pearls can grow up to ten times bigger than a saltwater cultured pearl that’s formed within an oyster in the sea.
The meaning of pearls
We don’t only love the beauty of pearls, but also the story behind pearl symbolism too. If you’ve ever wondered if pearls are known for bad or good luck, we can tell you that pearls are symbolic of wisdom, loyalty, protection and are said to attract good luck and wealth. Pearls are also said to bring balance to karma with their calming effect.
With the pearl spiritual meaning of loyalty, protection and purity, it’s no wonder pearls are a popular choice for a bride to wear on her wedding day. Pearls are the perfect bridal jewellery look, for both their stunning lustre and lovely symbolism.
How to tell if pearls are real
There are a few handy ways to spot a fake plastic or resin pearl from a real pearl, from weight, colour, shape, and texture.
When a necklace filled with real pearls is held next to a fake necklace with the same number of pearls, the real pearl necklace will feel heavier. This is the case when comparing it to plastic or resin pearls. As technology is changing all the time, some fake pearls are now being made from heavier materials.
Luckily you can also look at the shape to spot a fake pearl. Most things formed from the earth are not defined by perfection and their ‘flaws’ make them even more beautiful. Fake pearls are always perfectly round as they’ve been manufactured to be so. Real pearls will be almost perfectly round, but not 100%.
The easiest way to see if a pearl is real or fake is to test it in the sunshine. A real pearl will shine with the most stunning lustre. The radiance of a real pearl cannot be imitated.
You never need to worry about any of that when buying pearls from Beaverbrooks of course. We only ever buy real freshwater cultured pearls, to guarantee only beautiful and iridescent pearls for your jewellery collection.
June birthstone jewellery
For those on the hunt for the perfect pearl jewellery to complement their star sign, there are various pearl styles to choose from, but classic and statement pearls continue to be timeless throughout every era.
We love the glowing touch of this 9ct Gold Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace. This chic style is perfect for taking your look from day to night. The combination of yellow gold and pearls make it perfect for a June birthstone gift for you or someone who loves glamorous jewellery to make a statement with.
If you want to give a modern twist to the timeless pearl, give your pearls an edge by layering a classic necklace like this Silver Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace with a casual t-shirt and add a masculine twist with a blazer jacket.
“I wore these on my wedding day with the matching bracelet. I was absolutely thrilled with them and will truly treasure this set.” - Linda, Beaverbrooks customer.
For 2023 it’s all about letting pearls step out of their comfort zone. Why should we only let these lustrous beauties out for best? The trend Pearlcore talks about wearing pearls for any occasion and with any outfit. Give your everyday look an instant touch of glam with this Silver Cubic Zirconia Freshwater Cultured Pearl Drop Necklace.
This Dance 9ct White Gold Diamond Pearl Birthstone Pendant is a beautiful pendant to celebrate the June birthstone from our Dance diamond collection. Embellished with sparkling diamonds at the top of the white gold infinity symbol motif, this pendant is truly one to love forever. With a shining, decadent pearl at its base, the radiant tones of the gemstones and metal make a stunning glow that’s sure to catch eyes everywhere.
Is one pearl not enough? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this Vivienne Westwood Loelia Pearl Necklace. A stunning array of pearls is showcased on a gold tone brass, with an iconic Vivienne Westwood orb motif featured in bright pink. A distinctive style that will make you stand out from the crowd, pair the necklace with the matching bracelet and earrings for an ever-charming aesthetic.
A combination of pearls and vibrant green malachite, this Coeur De Lion Freshwater Pearl Chain Bracelet is a lovely combination of colour and gemstones. The gold tone stainless steel makes a perfect glowing finish to the bracelet, which can be worn as a trendy, fashionable statement.
Everybody loves a bit of sparkle from time to time. These stunning Glitter and Sparkle 9ct Gold Freshwater Cultured Pearl Twist Earrings showcase a beautiful freshwater cultured pearl held in a 9ct gold drop design with a modern twist shape and a glittering embellishment. The perfect pair of earrings for any special occasion, we can’t wait to wear these earrings with a classic LBD, flawless for the Gemini, pearl season.
“Bought for 50th wedding anniversary. My wife loved them as they were just showy enough with out being over the top.”- Phil, Beaverbrooks customer.
For a simplistic style, these Silver Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earrings are a perfect staple for your day-to-day. Chic and elegant, these studs will take your look from day to night without ever looking out of place. Accessorise with these minimalistic and pretty pearl earrings to add a sense of classic glamour to your outfit.
“Were bought as a gift. Nicely presented in gift box & well received by my aunt.” - Gill, Beaverbrooks customer.
Pearl rings are a lovely way to wear this sophisticated and graceful birthstone. This 9ct White Gold Freshwater Cultured Pearl Ring will add a sense of timeless femininity to your outfit. The 9ct white gold June birthstone ring features a swirl design, for an elegant twist that holds the pearl embellishment. The precious metal and gemstone come together to form a radiant glow, that feels as luxurious as it look.
Want to learn more about pearls and the other birthstones? Read our Guide To Birthstone Jewellery to discover the science, meaning and history behind each birthstone.
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