What Are the June Birthstones? A Guide to Pearls, Alexandrite and Moonstone

What Are the June Birthstones? A Guide to Pearls, Alexandrite and Moonstone 

Table of Contents

• What Are the June Birthstones?
• The History and Beauty of Pearls
• How Pearls Are Formed
• Pearl Care and Cleaning Tips
• The Rare Beauty of Alexandrite
• Why Alexandrite Changes Color
• Alexandrite Jewelry and Durability
• Which June Birthstone Is Right for You?
• Shop June Birthstone Jewelry at Hopman Jewelers
• Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

June is one of the few months that has multiple birthstones. While many people immediately think of pearls when they hear "June birthstone," June is also associated with the incredibly rare and fascinating gemstone alexandrite.

Both gemstones are beautiful, but they couldn't be more different. Pearls are organic minerals formed by living mollusks, while alexandrite is a rare gem prized for its remarkable color-changing properties.

If you're celebrating a June birthday, anniversary, graduation, or special occasion, understanding these two unique birthstones can help you choose the perfect piece of jewelry.

What Are the June Birthstones?

June is unique because it has multiple recognized birthstones:

• Pearl
• Alexandrite
• Moonstone

Each June birthstone offers its own distinctive beauty and symbolism.

Pearls are cherished for their timeless elegance and luminous glow.

Alexandrite is prized for its rarity and remarkable ability to change color under different lighting conditions.

Moonstone is admired for its ethereal appearance and shimmering optical effect known as adularescence, which creates a soft, floating glow across the surface of the gem. 

At Hopman Jewelers, pearls, alexandrite, and moonstone each provide a unique way to celebrate a June birthday or special occasion, whether you prefer classic sophistication, rare luxury, or a more mystical and contemporary style.

The History and Beauty of Pearls

For thousands of years, pearls have symbolized:

• Purity
• Wisdom
• Loyalty
• Love

Unlike most gemstones that are mined from the earth, pearls are created naturally within oysters and other mollusks.

Their soft luster has made them a favorite among royalty, celebrities, and jewelry lovers for centuries.

Today, pearls remain one of the most timeless jewelry choices available.

Popular pearl jewelry includes:

• Pearl necklaces
• Pearl earrings
• Pearl pendants
• Pearl bracelets
• Pearl rings

Their versatility allows them to be worn with everything from formal attire to everyday fashion.

How Pearls Are Formed

Pearls form when an irritant enters a mollusk's shell.

The mollusk responds by coating the irritant with layers of nacre, creating the beautiful pearl we recognize today.

Most pearls sold today are cultured pearls, meaning the process is started with human assistance while still allowing nature to do the work.

The result is a gemstone unlike any other.

Pearl Care and Cleaning Tips

Pearls are softer than many traditional gemstones and require special care.

To protect your pearls:

• Put pearls on last when dressing
• Avoid perfumes and hairsprays
• Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after wearing
• Store separately from harder gemstones
• Have pearl strands inspected periodically

Because pearls are organic, proper care helps preserve their beauty for generations.

The Rare Beauty of Alexandrite

If pearls represent timeless elegance, alexandrite represents mystery and wonder.

Alexandrite is one of the rarest gemstones in the world and is highly prized for its ability to change color.

In daylight, alexandrite often appears:

• Green
• Bluish-green
• Teal

Under incandescent lighting, it may shift to:

• Purplish-red
• Raspberry
• Reddish-purple

This incredible color change has earned alexandrite the nickname:

"Emerald by day, ruby by night."

Why Alexandrite Changes Color

Alexandrite's color change occurs because the gemstone absorbs and reflects different wavelengths of light.

As lighting conditions change, the colors visible to the human eye also change.

The stronger the color change, the more valuable the gemstone typically becomes.

Because natural alexandrite is extremely rare, it is considered one of the most collectible gemstones in the world.

Alexandrite Jewelry and Durability

Alexandrite ranks approximately 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for everyday wear.

Popular alexandrite jewelry includes:

• Rings
• Pendants
• Earrings
• Anniversary jewelry

Its durability and rarity make it an excellent choice for someone seeking a unique birthstone.

The Mystical Beauty of Moonstone

Moonstone is the third gemstone commonly associated with June and has been admired for centuries for its ethereal glow.

Named for its resemblance to moonlight, moonstone displays a unique optical effect called adularescence, which creates a soft, floating shimmer across the surface of the gem.

Throughout history, moonstone has been associated with:

• Intuition
• Balance
• New beginnings
• Protection

Ancient cultures believed moonstone held the power of the moon and brought good fortune to those who wore it.

Today, moonstone remains popular among jewelry lovers who appreciate its dreamy appearance and distinctive character.

Popular moonstone jewelry includes:

• Rings
• Pendants
• Earrings
• Bracelets

Its subtle beauty makes it an excellent choice for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Moonstone Care and Durability

Moonstone ranks between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it softer than many traditional gemstones.

To help protect moonstone jewelry:

• Avoid hard impacts
• Store separately from harder gemstones
• Clean gently with mild soap and water
• Remove jewelry during strenuous activities

With proper care, moonstone can maintain its beauty for many years.

Which June Birthstone Is Right for You?

June's three birthstones each offer something special.

Choose Pearls If You Love:

• Timeless elegance
• Classic style
• Soft, glowing beauty
• Traditional jewelry

Choose Alexandrite If You Love:

• Rare gemstones
• Unique color changes
• Conversation-starting jewelry
• Modern luxury

Choose Moonstone If You Love:

• Mystical beauty
• Unique shimmer and glow
• Bohemian or contemporary styles
• Symbolic gemstones

Many jewelry lovers choose more than one June birthstone and enjoy the unique qualities each gemstone offers.

Shop June Birthstone Jewelry at Hopman Jewelers

Whether you're searching for a classic strand of pearls, a luminous moonstone piece, or a rare alexandrite treasure, Hopman Jewelers is here to help.

Since 1960, we've helped customers throughout Elkhart and surrounding communities find meaningful jewelry for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and life's most important celebrations.

Our knowledgeable team can help you explore both traditional and contemporary June birthstone jewelry options.

Visit us in Downtown Elkhart to discover the beauty of June's birthstones.

For additional gemstone education, visit:

GIA Gem Encyclopedia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the traditional June birthstone?
Pearl is the traditional June birthstone and has been associated with June for centuries.

Is alexandrite a June birthstone?
Yes. Alexandrite is a recognized June birthstone and is one of the rarest gemstones in the world.

Is moonstone a June birthstone?
Yes. Moonstone is also recognized as a June birthstone and is admired for its glowing appearance and symbolic connection to intuition and new beginnings.

Why does alexandrite change color?
Alexandrite changes color because it reacts differently to various light sources, appearing green in daylight and red or purple under incandescent light.

Can pearls be worn every day?
Yes, but pearls require more care than many gemstones because they are softer and more susceptible to damage from chemicals and abrasion.

Which June birthstone is more valuable?
Natural alexandrite is typically much rarer and more valuable than pearls or moonstone, although exceptional examples of any gemstone can be highly prized.