JUNE BIRTHSTONE: PEARL
Instead of having one standard birthstone, June babies are bestowed the freedom to choose from three birthstones: pearl , moonstone, and alexandrite – a stone of shifting colors that is apparently rarer than the diamond.
But, since almanac.com lists pearl as the June birthstone, I’ll focus this month’s mineral on the pearl.
Pearls are really quite interesting. They are considered a gemstone, but unlike other gemstones, the pearl is created from a living organism. They occur when an irritant works its way into a mollusk. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk attempts to soothe the irritation by applying a coating, something called nacre, that gives it that milky lustrous quality. Apparently, most naturally occurring pearls have been harvested and are, in fact, quite rare. Cultured pearls are more common and can occur in seawater and freshwater.
Metaphysical
Pearls stimulate a feminine energy and evokes a sense of calm and being centered. They are a symbol of purity, integrity, innocence, and loyalty. It’s often considered a stone of wisdom and experience. The soothing stone is good for enhancing personal integrity, concentration, and focus.
Properties
Name I found a lot of conflicting information when researching the origin of the word “pearl”. The best information I found, from etymonline.com suggested that the word could have originated from “Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna, which in Sicily meant “pearl,” earlier “sea-mussel,” literally “ham, haunch, gammon,” so called for the shape of the mollusk shells.”
Color Interestingly, according the American Gem Society, the color of pearls vary dependent on where they are cultured from. Akoya cultured pearls grown in Japanese and Chinese sea water are usually white or cream in color. Freshwater Akoya can range in pastel shades. The largest pearls – South Sea pearls – come from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines and can be naturally white, cream, or golden in color. Tahitian pearls are cultured across French Polynesia, including Tahiti, are called black pearls, but their colors include gray, blue, green, and purple.
Moh’s scale With 2.5 hardness, pearls are a very soft stone
Regions Akoya pearls – come from Japan, China sea-water and freshwater. South Sea pearls – come from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Tahitian pearls – French Polynesia, including Tahiti.
