June’s birthstones are the pearl, the moonstone, and the Alexandrite which all carry unique healing properties and symbolic meaning. The traditional birthstone for June is the pearl which has long been associated with purity, humility and innocence. However the alternating birthstones for June are the moonstone, promoting intuition and inner growth, and the rare and dramatic color-changing Alexandrite. Discover the meaning and healing properties behind June’s three beautiful birth crystals below.
The Pearl’s Meaning and Healing Properties
The pearl has been June’s primary birthstone since 1912 when the National Association of Jewelers officially adopted the modern birthstone list. For centuries before that, the pearl was still a popular choice of birthstone for June babies. The ancient Greeks believed pearls were tears of joy from Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Romans also associated pearls with Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Pearls have long been symbolic of purity, humility, innocence, and new beginnings.
Pearls are unique among gemstones because they are the only ones formed within a living creature, an oyster or mollusk. Natural pearls form when an irritant like a parasite or piece of shell gets lodged inside an oyster’s shell. As a defense mechanism, the oyster secretes a smooth, hard, crystalline substance called nacre that coats the irritant and builds up in layers over time. Cultured pearls are formed using a similar process when a pearl farmer inserts a graft from a donor oyster or a bead into the body of an oyster to stimulate nacre production. It typically takes several years for lustrous pearl layers to fully coat the nucleus.
The rarity, natural beauty, and perfection of pearls give them a luminous, almost mystical quality. Pearls have been treasured for centuries as a symbol of wisdom gained through experience. They are thought to attract wealth and luck as well as protection, which makes them a popular gem for brides. Pearls are also believed to stimulate sincerity, truth and loyalty. Wearing pearls is thought to calm a raging mind and induce mental clarity.
Since natural pearls form out of adversity when a foreign substance gets lodged in an oyster’s shell, they are believed to help the wearer endure life’s challenges and learn from difficult situations. Pearls are said to absorb negative energy and reflect only the best parts back to the wearer. For this reason, they are thought to promote integrity, concentration, focus, and calmness.
Pearl Color Meanings
The color of a pearl can also influence its healing properties:
- White pearls promote purity, innocence, faith, integrity and tranquility.
- Black pearls enhance wisdom and increase inner strength.
- Pink pearls bring love and prosperity.
- Blue pearls foster calmness and relaxation.
- Chocolate or bronze pearls boost self-confidence and balance energies.
- Gray pearls relieve stressful thinking and negativity.
The Moonstone’s Meaning
The moonstone is one of the modern June birthstones added in 1912. Moonstones come in a variety of colors such as white, gray, brown, yellow, orange, pink and blue. The most valuable and sought after moonstone is the blue-white variety. Moonstones are typically colorless in daylight but exhibit a moonlight glow or sheen called adularescence that floats across the surface. The sheen resembles moonbeams shining through clouds. Moonstones can also exhibit chatoyancy, forming a cat’s eye effect.
In ancient times, the moonstone was known as the Traveler’s Stone for protecting those who journeyed at night. The mysterious moonlight glow led people to believe that the moonstone held the moon’s essence and could enhance intuition and psychic abilities. The moonstone was traditionally given on the 13th wedding anniversary to symbolize harmony, longevity, passion and spirituality.
Wearing moonstone is believed to balance emotions, prevent anxiety and insomnia, and bring wisdom by enhancing intuition. It is thought to absorb negative energy from repressed emotions and trauma and transform it into positive healing vibes. As a stone of feminine power and fertility, the moonstone is believed to help balance hormones and ease the hormonal transitions of puberty, menstruation and menopause. It is also traditionally believed to promote fertility.
Here are more mystical powers attributed to the moonstone:
- Uncover life’s truths
- Strengthen intuition
- Promote inner growth and strength
- Soothe emotional instability
- Relieve stress
- Balance yin/yang energies
- Bolster confidence
- Heighten psychic abilities
- Protect travelers
- Bring good fortune
- Attract true love and romance
Moonstone Color Meanings
Like pearls, different moonstone colors are believed to have their own unique vibrational properties:
- White – promotes wisdom, intuition, and balance
- Peach – invites self-acceptance, empathy, emotional healing
- Yellow – mobilizes mental agility and flexibility
- Gray – enhances neutrality and objectivity
- Green – stimulates growth, abundance and vitality
- Pink – opens the heart to friendship and romance
- Blue – invites reflection, peace, and receptivity
- Rainbow – combines the vibes of all moonstone colors
The Alexandrite Meaning
The Alexandrite is one of the modern June birthstones adopted in 1952. June’s alternate birthstone displays an incredible chameleon-like effect, appearing emerald green in daylight but switching to a rich, raspberry red under incandescent light. Fine alexandrites from the Russian Ural Mountains where it was first discovered in 1830 are highly prized and exceptionally rare.
The color change of the Alexandrite led people to believe it helped balance the physical, emotional and mental. Wearing an alexandrite is thought to strengthen intuition and inspire creativity. The stone is associated with learning to appreciate all aspects of yourself. As an extremely rare stone, the Alexandrite represents value and self-esteem. Giving an Alexandrite is a way to say, “you’re one in a million.”
The unusual dual colors of the Alexandrite are thought to bring good luck, good fortune and prosperity. Some benefits attributed to the Alexandrite:
- Increase self-confidence and self-esteem
- Boost intuitive abilities
- Promote creativity and imagination
- Instill joy and enthusiasm
- Attract good fortune
How to Choose a June Birthstone
Those born in June are lucky to have three beautiful birthstone options: pearls, moonstones and alexandrites. Choose the birthstone that resonates most with you or consider wearing all three June gems together for an enchanting combination.
When shopping for June birthstone jewelry or loose gemstones, consider these factors:
Pearls
- Type – Natural pearls are incredibly rare and expensive. Popular options are cultured or imitation pearls.
- Color – White and pink are the most common pearl colors but black, blue and golden pearls also exist.
- Shape – Round, button, teardrop, and coin pearls are all classic choices.
- Size – Measure in millimeters; 7-7.5 mm is average.
- Surface – Pearls can be smooth, ridged or pitted. Lustrous pearls with few imperfections are most valuable.
- Luster – High quality pearls have a glowing, mirror-like luster.
- Nacre – Look for thick, iridescent nacre that measures at least 0.5 mm.
Moonstones
- Color – Select colors with personal meaning like white for intuition or green for growth.
- Clarity – Translucent, clear stones display adularescence best.
- Cut – Cabochons accentuate moonlight glow. Faceted cuts maximize brilliance.
- Carat – Moonstones are affordable in a range of carat sizes.
- Origin – Sri Lanka produces the most illumination and adularescence.
Alexandrites
- Color Change – Look for a vivid color change from bluish-green to reddish-purple.
- Clarity – Eye clean stones with few inclusions and no windowing.
- Cut – Round, cushion and oval cuts optimize the color change.
- Carat – Alexandrites are very rare in sizes over one carat.
- Origin – Russian alexandrites show the strongest color change effect.
With their beautiful colors, mesmerizing iridescence, and wealth of symbolic meaning, June’s three birthstones make meaningful gift choices for June-born individuals. The pearls, moonstones and alexandrites each carry their own unique healing properties and attributes that resonate with June personalities.
Summary
June babies are lucky to have three exquisite birthstones associated with their month: pearls, moonstones and alexandrites. Each of these dazzling June gems have their own fabeled origin stories, distinctive properties, and rich symbolism. Pearls promote purity, integrity and calmness. Mysterious moonstones awaken intuition, balance emotions, and instill wisdom according to ancient lore. The extremely rare color-changing alexandrite represents good fortune and self-esteem. Whether you choose the classic pearl, the lunar-infused energies of the moonstone, or the one-in-a-million alexandrite, these three June birthstones make meaningful gifts full of personal significance.
