June is known for the end of school, vacations, and BBQ’s long summer days but here at Lee Dorn Jewelers, we think June is unique for a different reason. June is one of only three months in the year that has three birthstones, giving you a variety of beautiful birthstone choices.   

The three birthstones for June are Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone.   birthstones

 

Pearl 

The Pearl gemstone is made mostly of aragonite, a soft carbonate mineral. That is also made up from the shells of mollusks. A pearl is created when a very small fragment of rock, a sand grain, or a parasite enters the mollusk’s shell. Pearls possess a uniquely delicate translucence and luster. It rank them among the most highly valued gemstones. The pearl color varies on the species of mollusk that produced it. A white pearl is the most common and the best known. Other shades of colors are black, cream, gray, yellow, lavender, blue, green, and mauve.   

Pearls exist all over the world, and freshwater mussels in the Mississippi River and forest streams of Bavaria, Germany produce them. The Gulf of Mexico is home to black pearls, while the waters of the Celebes in Indonesia and the Gulf of California contain natural seawater pearls. Cultured pearls are famous in Japan, and they can also be found in the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Moonstone birthstones

Moonstone belongs to the family of minerals called feldspars; a group of silicate minerals commonly formed in rocks. The best moonstones are from Sri Lanka but are also found in the Alps, India, Burma, and Madagascar. The gemstone was named after the bluish-white spots within them, which, when held up to a light, project a silvery color much like moonlight. The silvery ray appears to move about when the stone is moved back and forth.

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

 

 

Alexandrite birthstones

The Alexandrite gemstone is known for its chameleon-like personality. In the daylight. It appears green with a bluish or brownish tint, while under artificial lighting, the stone turns a reddish violet color.   

The chrysoberyl family includes Alexandrite, which is a hard mineral with unusual colors attributed to the chromium present in it. Alexandrite stones are very rare and consequently, they are highly priced. Alexandrite stones are primarily sourced from Sri Lanka, but they can also be found in Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Burma. Even though replicated Alexandrite gemstones have been manufactured, their color change cannot be reproduced. As a result, they have only experienced marginal market success in the United States.

If you know someone celebrating a special event, a birthday, an anniversary, or just because. we have a wide variety of Pearl Jewelry that we will be happy to show you. let us help you customize that special piece. Come in, call, or contact us today.