June Birthstone Color and Meaning: Pearl and Alexandrite

June Birthstones: Pearl and Alexandrite Gemstone Meaning

Month: June
Birthstones: Pearl, Alexandrite
Color: White/Light Purple
Meanings: Calm, Luck, Self-Love

A Month of Multiple Birthstones

Alexandrite and pearl are the gems associated with the month of June. Some would argue that the former is more widely recognized today as the sixth month’s birthstone, but June babies can still claim pearl as their birthstone. The discovery of alexandrite is quite fascinating and traces back to 1834. While collecting emeralds in Russia, miners gathered what they thought were green gems. Upon further examination, they noticed that the stones exuded a red tint in certain lights. They had never seen anything like it before, which marked the beginning of a tremendous discovery.

How Alexandrite Got Its Name

It wasn’t until five years later when these reddish-green stones were named alexandrites. The two colors found in the stone bore a striking resemblance to Russia’s military colors. This unmistakable connection earned alexandrite the title of Russia’s national stone. More specifically, it honored Alexander II. Russian aristocrats regarded alexandrite as their most prized gemstone, which ultimately inspired them to begin supplying the stone. After years of mining, it looked as though alexandrite was going extinct. Fortunately, more were found in Ceylon and Brazil.

Crystallized alexandrite isolated on white background

George Kunz’s Influence

George Kunz, a gem buyer, had a deep-seated interest in alexandrite. To acquire the stone, he traveled all the way to Russia. Kunz worked for Tiffany and Co., a luxury jewelry retailer that still exists. With his pull, he managed to get Tiffany and Co. to purchase massive amounts of alexandrite. As a result, Tiffany and Co. cornered the alexandrite market for decades. This corporate giant is credited with popularizing the gem.

An Expensive Gem

Though alexandrite is beloved by many, its high price makes it less accessible. Since it’s so rare, alexandrite is priced higher than most luxury stones, including diamonds and emeralds. In fact, a single carat of natural alexandrite is priced around $25,000. With that said, alexandrite is most commonly purchased by the exceedingly wealthy.

A Good Omen

Interactions with alexandrite are thought to produce good luck. In Russia, specifically, alexandrite is related to good fortune. By balancing physical properties with spiritual elements, alexandrite creates favorable outcomes. What’s more, it ignites the crown chakra. As a result, healing energies are dispersed throughout the body. When faced with hardship, alexandrite has the potential to turn your situation around.

Stimulates Creativity

Alexandrite inspires us to unleash our inner artist. Imagination runs wild in the presence of alexandrite. Those in need of inspiration are encouraged to consult with this gem. With time, ingenuity will bubble to the surface. Growing stagnant can be the kiss of death for creatives, making alexandrite a godsend.

Brings Balance to Life

A busy life can be a blessing, but alexandrite urges us to take it easy every now and again. Alexandrite reminds us that our happiness isn’t measured by our triumphs. Instead, this gem underscores the importance of finding joy in the things that matter. In other words, friends, family, and self-love. In essence, alexandrite sheds light on the meaning of life.

Eliminates Physical Discomfort

According to ancient beliefs, alexandrite may have an effect if you are in pain. Some unconventional medical professionals believe that alexandrite facilitates and expedites the healing process. Moreover, this stone should alleviate the agony that comes with chronic disorders. Afflictions of the pancreas and spleen is also said to be affected by alexandrite.

Bolsters Self-Esteem

We’re each our own worst critic. If this notion rings true for you, allow alexandrite to strengthen your self-confidence. Alexandrite influences our inner energy charges and, in turn, promotes self-respect. If you’re looking to ground or center yourself, alexandrite may be the helping hand you need. With alexandrite crystals, you can alter your outlook on both yourself and life.

Pearls: The World’s Oldest Gem

While historians can’t prove who discovered the first pearl, this lustrous mass has been around for centuries. In as early as 2300 B.C., pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty. In their culture, pearls were symbolic of purity and status. Pearls became so luxurious that only ruling classes were allowed to don them. If you were prominent enough to wear a pearl, you were regarded as a pillar of society.

Abundant in the Persian Gulf

Pearls were anything but far and few in the Persian Gulf. With their substantial supply of natural oyster beds, the Persian Gulf was at the heart of the pearl trade. Before their discovery of oil, the Persian Gulf was best known for its abundance of pearls. Fortunately, this allowed for a thriving economy. During this era, the Persian Gulf was incredibly wealthy and highly sought-after.

Dangerous to Acquire

Before more modern solutions were developed, people would have to dive into the depths of the ocean to procure pearls. Some of these pursuits were in vain. Some oysters would produce such poor quality pearls that no one desired them. Rivers and streams contained oysters as well, but these areas were reserved specifically for royals. So as not to displease these eminent figures, civilians stuck to their perilous methods.

Worn by Knights

Knights believed that pearls would protect them in battle. In the hopes of making it out alive, knights would either wear pearls or embed them into their uniforms. Family members of soldiers also upheld this belief. They knew how brutal the battlefield was, and they didn’t want to see their loved one killed so savagely. Unfortunately, there’s no telling if this theory worked, but it was a nice sentiment nonetheless.

Sacred Christian Objects

During the Middle Ages, pearls were considered a holy vessel. Christians maintained that pearls held religious purity. According to early Christians, the water in the Holy Grail was made pure by pearls. Sins could be washed away by pearls. If someone’s home was steeped in evil spirits, they relied on pearls to banish these unwelcome bodies.

Ideal for Brides

Pearls play a large role in weddings. Brides often wear this gem to demonstrate their loyalty and virtue. Legend has it that pearls could even prevent a bride from being a blubbering mess on her wedding day. In Asia, brides wear pearls in hopes that it’ll make them fertile. With its white color, pearls are emblematic of innocence. These qualities make pearls inherently feminine.

Indicative of Faithfulness

Faithfulness and pearls go hand in hand. If your dreams feature pearls, it means that your friends are exceedingly loyal. Romantic relationships also benefit from pearls. It’s believed that this gem can fortify connections and eradicate impure thoughts. If your relationship is on the rocks, pearls can enhance any areas of improvement.

Birthstones by Month

If you want to learn more about birthstone colors and their meanings, here’s an overview of birthstones by month.