June birthstone is pearl

“Who comes with summer to this earth
And owes to June her hour of birth
A pearl should wear against her skin
Who’s innocence many a heart shall win.”

For those born in the month of June, pearl is the traditional birthstone. It is said that a pearl is associated with loyalty, faithfulness and friendship.

Pearls, according to South Asian mythology, were dewdrops from heaven that fell into the sea. They were caught by shellfish under the first rays of the rising sun, during a period of full moon. In India, warriors encrusted their swords with pearls to symbolize the tears and sorrow that a sword brings.

For centuries, pearls have been used as an adornment.  They are unique, as they are the only gems from living creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty.  They possess a uniquely delicate translucence and lustre that place them among the most highly valued of gemstones.

Unlike most gemstones that are found within the Earth, pearls have an organic origin. They are created inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some pearls are found naturally in molluscs from the sea or freshwater lakes and rivers. Many pearls today are cultured, raised in oyster farms that sustain a thriving pearl industry.