June has three traditional birthstones : pearls, moonstone, and Alexandrite. Unlike most gems, pearls have organic origins, being created in certain kinds of mollusks. Although they can be found naturally, most commercial pearl sources are cultured in oyster farms. The substance which makes up a pearl is mostly aragonite, a soft carbonate mineral. Pearls have a delicate translucence making them a popular gemstone.

 
   The pearl is created when a grain of sand or rock fragment gets inside the clam or oyster. It irritates the animal which responds by coating the offending grain with layer after layer of shell material. Pearls formed in the inside surface of the shell are usually irregular in shape and of little value. Pearls formed within the tissue of the animal itself, result in a spherical or pear shaped pearl.

     The colour of the pearl depends on what species of animal it forms in, and  the environment in which it was created. White is the most common colour, but pearls can also be found in shades of black, cream, gray, blue, yellow,lavender and green.

     Japan is famous for it's cultured pearls. They are bred in large oyster beds in Japan's waters. A tiny irritant is introduced into the fleshy part of  two or three year old oysters. These oysters are fed for anywhere from seven  to nine years before being harvested.

     The largest known pearl is called the Pearl of Asia. It is three inches long and two inches across. The pearl was a gift from the Shah Jahan of India to his wife (he also built her the Taj Mahal!)
An Indian story explains that pearls were dewdrops from heaven which fell into the sea.  Shellfish caught these dewdrops at sunrise during the time of the full moon. Indian warriors decorated their swords with pearls which were said to symbolize the tears and sorrow brought by swords.
As early as 2000 BC in China, pearls were believed to represent wealth, power and long life. Arabs and Persians believed pearls were a cure for insanity as well as a few diseases. Even today, low grade pearls are ground and used for medicine in the orient.

 
   June's second birthstone is the moonstone.  Moonstones are named for the bluish white spots within them, that when held up to light, project a silvery play of color very much like the moon. When the stone is moved back and forth, the brilliant silvery rays appear to move about, like moonbeams playing over water.

     Moonstones belong to the feldspar family of minerals. Feldspars of gem quality are aluminosilicates, minerals containing aluminum, silicon and oxygen, that are mixed with sodium and potassium. The best moonstones are from Sri Lanka. They are also found in the Alps, Malagasy, Burma and India.

     Pliny, believed that moonstone changed in appearance with the phases of the moon, a belief that persisted until the sixteenth century. The ancient Romans  believed  the image of Diana, goddess of the moon, was enclosed within it. Moonstones were believed to have the power to bring victory, health and wisdom to those who wore it.

     In India, the moonstone is considered a sacred stone, often displayed on a yellow cloth, also a sacred color. The stone is believed to bring good fortune, brought on by a spirit that lives within the stone.

    June's third birthstone is the Alexandrite, named after Prince Alexander of Russia  who was to later become Czar Alexander II in 1855). Discovered in 1839 on the prince's birthday, Alexandrite was found in an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains of Russia.

    Alexandrite is a rare and very expensive gem which possesses a chameleon like quality. In sunlight, the stone appears greenish.  The same stone under artificial light,  would show a reddish hue! This gem is part of the chrysoberyl family. The unusual colours are believed to be produced by the presence of chronium.

     There is little lore about this gem because it was discovered so recently. In Russia the stone is a favorite because it reflects the Russian national colours of green and red. Russians believed the stone would bring good luck.