June - Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
PEARLS are found in varieties of the Pinctada Oyster - a non-edible mollusk. A natural pearl is formed when an irritant such as sand, or a parasite enters the mollusk. The creature secretes conchioloin to protect itself from the irritant, thus forming the nacre which gives a pearl its iridescence.
Most all pearls encountered nowadays are cultured pearls, whereas a number of mother of pearl beads have been inserted into the mollusk. The process of forming a beautiful pearl can take three to seven years - the longer the pearls has been in the mollusk, the more nacre that has formed, and the higher the quality and luster (and cost) of the pearls.
In ancient times, Pearls assured success in love, and also gave the wearer protection and luck.
The traditional round white pearl is only one of many different colors and shapes that are encountered today - from coin-shaped to Biwa-style’, there are many choices available.
The best way to tell a real pearl from an imitation is to test it against your tooth. A real pearl will feel gritty. Makeup, hairspray and heat can harm pearls. To clean them, you can immerse them in a warm mild soapy water, and wipe them with a soft cloth.
MOONSTONE is a semitransparent to translucent variety of Orthoclase Feldspar, and it is known for its opalescent sheen. It occurs in many colors - beige, greenish, orange, and more - but the most prized color is white, with a bluish sheen.
It was believed that Moonstone could give the power to read the future if placed in the mouth when the moon was full. Moonstone was also thought to bring good fortune to its wearer.
ALEXANDRITE is a variety of the mineral Chrysoberyl, and it was named after the Czar Alexander II of Russia, when it was discovered in the Ural mountains on his birthday in 1830. Real Alexandrite is quite rare, and it has the ability to change color - violet in incandescent light - to blue-green in daylight. Most of what we believe to be Alexandrite is actually synthetic alexandrtie-like Sapphire.
As Alexandrite was only discovered in the 19th Century, it doesn’t share the lore of most other gemstones, but it is said to be a stone of very good omen.