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Birthstone for June - Pearl
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
June's Birthstone: Pearl
Birthstone Properties: Truth and beauty
Alternative Birthstones: Moonstone and Alexandrite
Pearl is the official birthstone of the month of June. It is also the
accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage.
Pearls have adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a
favorite of Cleopatra, yet there are perfectly suited to young girls and
are a popular gift for first communion.
Pearls come in a wide range of colors from delicate rose white to black.
The higher the luster or "orient," the more valuable the specimen. Greeks
believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the Love Goddess
shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. In Arab legend, pearls
were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the
beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops. Ancient Chinese
thought that these gems originated from the brains of dragons.
Whatever their origins, pearls are magnificent!
Round Pearl and Her Shapely Sisters It's hard to believe that the coveted
pearl comes naturally from one of the humblest of life forms -- the
mollusk. Divers find natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as in the
waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and
the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California.
Besides the popular round shape most people associate with pearls, there
are also large hemispherical cultured pearls (called mabe), fresh water
pearls (elongated in interesting shapes and colors) and South Sea cultured
pearls (from Australia and Indonesian waters) that grow to 10 mm and up!
Gems of unsurpassed beauty and elegance, pearls have been a passion and
even an obsession of people throughout the ages. They have been ground up
and used in cosmetics and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach
conditions. Some cultures swear by pearls as an aphrodisiac.
Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry, but eventually these
gems were seen among all classes of people. They continue to be viewed as
a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are
often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child. Pearls are
nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with
everything from jeans to an evening gown.
Alternate Birthstones
Moonstone is a type of feldspar that earned its name because of its
resemblance to the iridescent sheen of the moon. Varying in color from
clear to blue-white or peach, it was believed to endow the wearer with
great spiritual understanding. A gift of this stone is symbolic of health
and longevity.
Alexandrite. A yellowish or brownish green in color, this gemstone has the
unique characteristic of changing color to a red hue when exposed to a
glowing light source, such as candlelight. Because of this quality, it has
been characterized by poets as "an emerald by day, a ruby by night."
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
report at
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