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Family Jewellers of Birmingham FOR OVER 40 YEARS - Book Appointment | WhatsApp
Family Jewellers of Birmingham FOR OVER 40 YEARS - Book Appointment | WhatsApp
June is one of the few months with not one but three birthstones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Each one looks different, carries a different meaning, and suits different tastes. That actually makes choosing a June birthday gift easier than you might expect, because there is genuinely something for everyone.
Whether you are buying for someone who loves classic elegance, prefers something a little otherworldly, or wants a stone that is rare and genuinely extraordinary, one of the three June birthstones will fit.
If you are looking for a piece of fine jewellery to mark a June birthday, you can browse the gemstone jewellery at Manna Jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. If you want something designed around a particular stone, our bespoke jewellery service is the place to start.
June has three birthstones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite.
Pearl is the traditional June birthstone and the most widely recognised.
June birthstone colour varies by stone: pearls are white to cream, moonstone is milky white with a blue or silver glow, and alexandrite shifts from green to red depending on the light.
Alexandrite is rarer than diamond and among the most valuable gemstones in the world.
Pearls are organic gems, the only birthstone formed inside a living creature.
All three make meaningful birthday, anniversary or milestone gifts for those born in June.
The June birthstone in the UK, as recognised by the major gemmological and jewellery trade bodies, is the pearl. Pearl has been associated with June for centuries and remains the most traditional and widely given choice.
However, June is one of only three months in the year with three official birthstones. Moonstone and alexandrite are also recognised as June birthstones, giving anyone born this month a real choice depending on their style, the occasion, and budget.
|
Birthstone |
Colour |
Mohs Hardness |
Key Meaning |
Best For |
|
Pearl |
White, cream, pink, black |
2.5-4 |
Purity, wisdom, calm |
Pendants, earrings, special occasion rings |
|
Moonstone |
Milky white with a blue/silver sheen |
6-6.5 |
Intuition, new beginnings, love |
Pendants, stacking rings, and everyday wear |
|
Alexandrite |
Green by day, red/purple by night |
8.5 |
Balance, creativity, good fortune |
Rings, pendants, statement pieces |
The most common pearl colours are white and cream, but silver, grey and black are also found. Pearls can also carry slight pink, green, blue and purple overtones. Unusual colours, including golden and peacock green, are becoming increasingly popular.
Pearl is the only birthstone formed inside a living creature. Pearls originate from oceans, lakes and rivers around the world. Ancient civilisations from the Middle East believed pearls were teardrops fallen from heaven, while the Chinese believed they came from the brain of a dragon.
Freshwater pearls form inside mussels and oysters in lakes, rivers and other freshwater environments, with many cultured pearl farms in Japan, China and the Philippines. Freshwater pearls can also be cultivated in colder climates, including Scotland.
The meaning of pearls centres on purity, integrity and wisdom. According to ancient Vedic scriptures, pearls bestowed long life and prosperity. They have also long been associated with calm, emotional balance, and a sense of quiet confidence.
Pearls are a traditional wedding gift and have been worn by royalty for centuries. During the Byzantine Empire, only emperors were permitted to wear them.
Because pearls sit at 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, they are softer than most gemstones. They work best in earrings, pendants and necklaces, or in rings worn occasionally rather than every day. Pearls should be stored separately from other gemstones and metal jewellery to avoid scratching, and kept away from perfume, hairspray and cosmetics. Clean them with a soft, damp cloth only.
Moonstone is typically milky white or near-coloured, with a shimmering internal glow that shifts as light moves across the surface. The finest moonstones show a blue sheen against a colourless background. Pink, orange, near-colourless, blue and multicoloured moonstones are also found in nature.
That internal glow has a name: adularescence. It is produced when light travels between alternating internal mineral layers within the stone, creating a billowing, floating light effect. No other gemstone does quite what moonstone does.
The most important sources of moonstone are India and Sri Lanka, with further deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania.
Moonstone symbolises love, passion, fertility and luck. Its gentle glow is thought to soothe emotional instability, improve intuition and encourage peaceful sleep. It is also known as the Traveller's Stone. Many believed moonstone offered protection to those who travelled at night, guided by the same light as the moon.
In Hindu mythology, moonstone was believed to be made of solidified moonbeams. Roman and Greek traditions connected it to their lunar deities. It has been a favourite of jewellers throughout history, particularly in Art Nouveau design.
Moonstone scores 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and has poor toughness. It may crack when exposed to high heat, so ultrasonic and steam cleaners should never be used. Warm, soapy water with a soft brush is the safest cleaning method.
Moonstone works beautifully in pendants, earrings and stacking rings. For everyday rings, a protective bezel setting is better than a claw setting, as it cushions the stone from impact.
Alexandrite is unlike anything else in the gemstone world. When the light source changes, alexandrite shifts from bluish-green to reddish-purple. This is where its famous description comes from: emerald by day, ruby by night.
In daylight, alexandrite typically appears greenish-blue. At the same time, under incandescent light it shifts to purplish-red - the stronger and more complete the colour change, the more valuable the stone.
Alexandrite was first discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1834 and named after Tsar Alexander II. Its red and green colours matched the national military colours of Imperial Russia, which added to its significance at the time.
Today, alexandrite is found in Sri Lanka, East Africa and Brazil. Because its formation requires both beryllium and chromium, which rarely occur in the same geological conditions, it is exceptionally scarce.
Alexandrite is considered 20 times rarer than diamond, and high-quality stones frequently command prices that reflect that rarity.
Because of its dramatic colour transformation, alexandrite is often linked to balance, creativity and good fortune. It is also seen as a stone of duality, capable of holding two different truths at the same time.
At 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, alexandrite is one of the hardest gemstones and well-suited to rings worn regularly. It is significantly more durable than pearl or moonstone. Because fine natural alexandrite is rare and expensive, high-quality lab-created alexandrite is widely available and a practical choice for those who love the stone's colour-change quality without the premium price.
The right choice depends on the person you are buying for.
Choose pearl if they love classic, timeless pieces. Pearl suits any age and works with almost any outfit. It is the most recognisable June birthstone and carries a long history of meaning.
Choose moonstone if they are drawn to something softer, more ethereal, or connected to nature and the lunar world. Moonstone jewellery feels personal and a little different from the mainstream.
Choose alexandrite if you want to give something genuinely rare. It suits someone who loves unique, conversation-starting pieces and appreciates the craft and science behind a stone that changes before your eyes.
At Manna Jewellers, we can help you find or create a piece using any of the three June birthstones. If you have something specific in mind, our bespoke jewellery service lets you design around the stone and the person.
Birthstone jewellery is not only for birthdays. Pearls are a traditional gift for a third wedding anniversary. Alexandrite is linked to the 55th anniversary. If a significant date falls in June, or the recipient was born in June, any of the three stones makes a thoughtful, meaningful choice.
You might also find our guide on gemstone rings as anniversary gifts by year useful if you are choosing for a milestone occasion.
The traditional June birthstone is the pearl. June also has two additional birthstones: moonstone and alexandrite. All three are officially recognised.
It depends on the stone. Pearl is typically white or cream. Moonstone is milky white with a blue or silver inner glow. Alexandrite is green in daylight and shifts to red or purple under artificial light.
Yes. Moonstone is one of three official June birthstones, alongside pearl and alexandrite.
Yes. Alexandrite was added to the modern birthstone list for June, alongside pearl and moonstone. It is the rarest of the three and among the most valuable gemstones in the world.
Pearls symbolise purity, wisdom and calm. They have been associated with royalty, protection and emotional balance across many cultures for centuries.
Anniversary Gemstone Rings by Year - if you are choosing birthstone jewellery for a milestone anniversary
Emerald: The May Birthstone - for anyone with a late May or early June birthday
BespokeJewellery at Manna Jewellers - design a one-of-a-kind piece around a June birthstone
Fine Jewellery at Manna Jewellers - browse our current gemstone jewellery collection
Jewellery Repairs in Birmingham - restore or restyle an inherited birthstone piece
