Pearl - Birthstone of June

You may know what your birthstone is but do you know the significance that comes along with it? If you were born in the month of June then your birthstone is Pearl. The ancients thought that Pearl has truth and beauty properties.

It is now known that Greeks actually thought that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. Arab legend states that pearls were made when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the moon and then swallowed moonlit dew drops.

Pearl is also generally known as the anniversary gem stone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. For centuries pearls have been found on crowns, jewelry, clothing, and temples. They were even known to be a favorite of Cleopatra. They are simple enough to be given to young girls and are a frequent gift for a first communion.

Magnificent pearls come in a variety of colors that range from delicate rose white to black. When it comes to pearls the higher the luster or orients the more expensive it is. It may be hard to envisage that these desirable treasures come naturally from the mollusk.

Deep sea divers seek out natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as the waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California. Other than the common round shaped pearls normally seen, there are also large hemispherical cultured pearls known as mabe.

These fresh water pearls are elongated in different interesting shapes and colors. The South Sea cultured pearls can grow upwards of 10mm.

There was a time when only those with royal status could sport something as precious as pearl jewelry, but these days they are seen on people from all over the world. Pearls are an ideal gift for anybody of any age.
By Martin Mallett