Summer is here, and we couldn’t be happier about it! We’ve been ready for warm days on the water since, oh, the first snowstorm of the year or so, and we’re so excited they’re finally here.
June is a super special month. Not only does it mark the beginning of the summer, but it’s also one of the few months that has THREE birthstones! Pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone are all considered to be a June birthstone. These gems are very different, but they’re each stunning in their own ways. Let’s dive in and learn more about each!
Pearl is one of the best known gems. Middle Eastern people from ancient times believed that pearls were actually teardrops from the heavens whereas the Chinese people believed it to be the brain of a dragon. Let’s be honest: either option is ridiculously cool.
Truth be told, the actual way pearls are formed is pretty cool itself. Natural pearls form spontaneously inside mollusks, usually because of a teeny tiny particle that makes its way inside. Natural pearls get absolutely no assistance from humans to grow. Cultured pearls are much more common. These pearls form following a similar process, but humans help ensure that an “irritant” — usually a piece of shell — is placed in a precise location. Workers take care of the mollusks until the pearl is ready to be harvested.
Pearls are considered to symbolize purity and innocence, so they’re often given as a wedding gift. The classic pearl strand is also a common coming-of-age gift given at graduations.
This necklace is basically the opposite of the classic pearl strand! We are OBSESSED with the black opals and pearls in this antique and estate jewelry piece. The art nouveau style is perfect for someone wanting a more retro feel.
Moonstone is another one of June’s birthstones. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that ancient populations associated it with their lunar gods. The Hindu believed it was actually made of moonbeams; as amazing as that would be, it’s actually a specific kind of feldspar.
Many people believe that moonstone invites passion and fertility into relationships while others believe it to be a lucky charm. Whichever way you land, we can bet you’ll be as obsessed with this white gold moonstone ring as we are. The halo cut of the moonstone surrounded by diamonds makes this a ring we’ll be dreaming about for a long time to come.
If you find yourself drawn toward vintage looks, we feel pretty sure you’ll fall in love with this filigree moonstone ring. It’s definitely a showstopper!
Finally, June’s last birthstone is alexandrite. This gem was originally discovered in Russia, so it’s named after Tsar Alexander II. Nowadays, alexandrite isn’t mined in Russia. It’s found primarily in places like Sri Lanka, Brazil, and eastern Africa.
Alexandrite has a fascinating property. If certain features of the gemstone face each other, they actually can create a cat’s eye effect.
Alexandrite can also be created in a lab. We took a deep dive on this blog recently and learned that lab-grown diamonds are a great, affordable alternative to earth-mined diamonds because they are “genetically” the same. The same is true for alexandrite! We love this pendant featuring lab-grown alexandrite.
We adore these color-changing alexandrite earrings as well. That’s right: color changing. In incandescent light, these gems are purplish-red. Step into the natural light, and they’ll appear blueish-green. That’s exactly the kind of magic that June babies bring into our lives, so that makes perfect sense to us!
There are so many special events in June: birthdays, vacations, graduations, and Father’s Day just to name a few. If you’re searching for the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate with, Dickinson Jewelers can help you get your sparkle on! From pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite jewelry to diamonds and beyond, our Southern Maryland stylists can help you find exactly the right fit for the occasion.
June is a super special month. Not only does it mark the beginning of the summer, but it’s also one of the few months that has THREE birthstones! Pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone are all considered to be a June birthstone. These gems are very different, but they’re each stunning in their own ways. Let’s dive in and learn more about each!
Pearl is one of the best known gems. Middle Eastern people from ancient times believed that pearls were actually teardrops from the heavens whereas the Chinese people believed it to be the brain of a dragon. Let’s be honest: either option is ridiculously cool.
Truth be told, the actual way pearls are formed is pretty cool itself. Natural pearls form spontaneously inside mollusks, usually because of a teeny tiny particle that makes its way inside. Natural pearls get absolutely no assistance from humans to grow. Cultured pearls are much more common. These pearls form following a similar process, but humans help ensure that an “irritant” — usually a piece of shell — is placed in a precise location. Workers take care of the mollusks until the pearl is ready to be harvested.
Pearls are considered to symbolize purity and innocence, so they’re often given as a wedding gift. The classic pearl strand is also a common coming-of-age gift given at graduations.
This necklace is basically the opposite of the classic pearl strand! We are OBSESSED with the black opals and pearls in this antique and estate jewelry piece. The art nouveau style is perfect for someone wanting a more retro feel.
Moonstone is another one of June’s birthstones. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that ancient populations associated it with their lunar gods. The Hindu believed it was actually made of moonbeams; as amazing as that would be, it’s actually a specific kind of feldspar.
Many people believe that moonstone invites passion and fertility into relationships while others believe it to be a lucky charm. Whichever way you land, we can bet you’ll be as obsessed with this white gold moonstone ring as we are. The halo cut of the moonstone surrounded by diamonds makes this a ring we’ll be dreaming about for a long time to come.
If you find yourself drawn toward vintage looks, we feel pretty sure you’ll fall in love with this filigree moonstone ring. It’s definitely a showstopper!
Finally, June’s last birthstone is alexandrite. This gem was originally discovered in Russia, so it’s named after Tsar Alexander II. Nowadays, alexandrite isn’t mined in Russia. It’s found primarily in places like Sri Lanka, Brazil, and eastern Africa.
Alexandrite has a fascinating property. If certain features of the gemstone face each other, they actually can create a cat’s eye effect.
Alexandrite can also be created in a lab. We took a deep dive on this blog recently and learned that lab-grown diamonds are a great, affordable alternative to earth-mined diamonds because they are “genetically” the same. The same is true for alexandrite! We love this pendant featuring lab-grown alexandrite.
We adore these color-changing alexandrite earrings as well. That’s right: color changing. In incandescent light, these gems are purplish-red. Step into the natural light, and they’ll appear blueish-green. That’s exactly the kind of magic that June babies bring into our lives, so that makes perfect sense to us!
There are so many special events in June: birthdays, vacations, graduations, and Father’s Day just to name a few. If you’re searching for the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate with, Dickinson Jewelers can help you get your sparkle on! From pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite jewelry to diamonds and beyond, our Southern Maryland stylists can help you find exactly the right fit for the occasion.