JUNE:  PEARL or ALEXANDRITE The pearl, long considered the queen of gems, was described by ancient writers as dew from heaven or angel tears. Pearl is the Chinese symbol of wealth, power and longevity. Pearls were considered the symbol of modesty, chastity and purity and were worn by virgins as protection. (I’m not going to touch this one) They have come to symbolize a happy marriage.

Cleopatra ground pearls into her wine to drink in their beauty.

A pearl is the product of an oyster's defense mechanism. When a foreign irritant is introduced either by man (cultured) or naturally, the oyster immediately surrounds it with layers of a substance called nacre. This forms the exquisite gemstone know as pearl.

Pearls come in a wide range of colors. They should be relatively free from skin blemishes. The more perfectly round the shape the better. The higher the luster, or "orient", the more valuable the specimen. The larger the pearl, the greater the value.

Besides the popular round shape, there are stylish mabe (large hemispherical cultured pearls), fresh water (elongated in interesting shapes and colors), and South Sea (large cultured pearls 10mm and up from Australia's and Indonesia's waters), to name a few.

Avoid household chemicals, cosmetics, hair sprays, and perfumes. Don't use ultrasonic cleaners. Wash with mild soap and water and store in a protective chamois pouch or tissue paper.

The alexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1831 on the day on which Alexander II, Russian heir-apparent, came of age, hence the name.

Moonstone is sometimes used as an alternative by those born in June since it physically resembles some pearls. To Hindus, moonstones were bits of moonbeams.

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