Unveiling the Mystique of June Birthstones: Pearls and Moonstones

For those fortunate to be born in June, a plethora of stunning June birthstones await to be discovered. Among these are the timeless pearls and the enchanting moonstones. Pearls, with their unique luster, can be imaginatively fashioned into a variety of jewelry pieces, including brooches, earrings, necklaces, and rings. On the other hand, moonstones, with their distinctive iridescence, can be polished, carved, or set into virtually any jewelry design. Both of these gems offer a unique aesthetic appeal when incorporated into June birthstone jewelry.

Delving into the Allure of June Birthstones:

The Timeless Elegance of Pearls

Pearls have been a symbol of elegance and sophistication for centuries. The 1500s, often referred to as 'the pearl age,' saw an unprecedented admiration for this gem, first in the Roman Empire and later in Tudor England. The uniqueness of pearls lies in their natural formation - they are the only gems produced by living sea creatures and require no additional polishing or faceting to reveal their inherent beauty. Pearls are formed when an irritant gets trapped within a mollusk, which then coats the irritant with a substance known as nacre, resulting in the creation of a mesmerizing pearl.

While pearls can occur naturally, they can also be cultured or man-made. Regardless of their origin, pearls possess a delicate luster that ranks them among the most coveted gemstones. Their color varies depending on the species of mollusk and the environment in which they are formed, offering a spectrum of shades from gray, cream, black, yellow, blue, green, lavender, to mauve. The world's largest pearl, the Pearl of Asia, measures three-inches in length, two-inches in width, and weighs one-third of a pound, a testament to the grandeur of this gem.

The Enchanting Allure of Moonstones

With a mystique as intriguing as their name suggests, moonstones are a variety of feldspar that have captivated jewelry lovers for centuries. Named by Pliny, a Roman natural historian, moonstones are believed to change their appearance with the phases of the moon. The interplay of feldspar and albite layers gives moonstones their characteristic textured appearance. Often seen in hues of blue and white, moonstones bear a striking resemblance to scratched blue glass.

Jewelry featuring moonstones is a perfect choice for those who are drawn to the mystical and those who favor the cool tones of winter. In India, moonstones are revered as sacred gemstones, often displayed against a yellow backdrop, a sacred color. They are believed to house a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune, making them an excellent choice for June birthstones.

Pearl Earrings - A Basic Necessity

If you are looking for a classic addition to any outfit, pearl earrings are a guaranteed hit. Simultaneously dazzling and elegant, they are suitable for any formal function or office meeting. Whether chosen for lunch at your favorite restaurant or to complement that floral top or fine-cut summer dress, pearl earrings are the perfect addition to any outfit. Nature is such a perfectionist, especially when it comes to the pearl. As the only gemstone which does not require any cutting or polishing, it is only expected that craftsmen such as John S. Brana would choose to use these semi-precious stones in their collections. Pearl earrings have been created for centuries, and the image of a lady sporting these shining stones on her earlobes is a picture of style that will last throughout the ages.

Pearl Earrings Come in a Variety of Colors

One attribute to pearls, which makes them almost irresistible for use in earrings, is that they can have different colored hues. John S. Brana has used both the lavender and light blue varieties to create some dazzling freshwater pearl earrings. Whether you choose a long, hanging design, or a simple single stone embedded into the earring, pearls are a definite winner when it comes to fine jewelry. For a bit of variety, pearls also mix well with other gemstones to create some beautiful patterns and displays of color. One outstanding design example is freshwater pearls combined with garnets in John S. Brana’s hammered fine silver earrings. Of course, there are many more varieties, ensuring that anyone can choose one, regardless of their style or taste.

Matching Sets - Necklaces, Bracelets, and Pearl Earrings

Pearl earrings of any sort will make a fantastic addition to anyone’s personal jewelry collection. They work well on their own, or in creating a set with a pearl necklace or one or two pearl bracelets. Discover the magic of these flawless gemstones today.

The Uniqueness of Pearl Jewelry

Amongst all the gems, pearls are the most unique. They are the only stone which does not require any additional cutting and polishing by a master jeweler. Pearls are made of nacre, which is already highly lustrous, meaning that these stunning gems can be added to any piece of jewelry very easily. For this reason, pearls have been used for centuries worldwide. Previously, people had to dive for them in the wilds, whereas now, they are simply farmed. Examples of pearl jewelry are found in John S. Brana’s Sea Cliff collection where it is used for subtle appearance enhancements or to make much bolder statements.

Freshwater and Saltwater Pearls

There are two types of pearls, saltwater and freshwater. Jewelers, such as John S. Brana, use the freshwater variety which comes in a greater number of shapes and sizes. One of the most appealing types is the Keishi pearl which comes in a fantastic array of irregular, but natural-looking shapes. These gems add a very unique appearance to any jewelry that they are added to. Because none of them look alike, they can be used to create necklaces or earrings which are one-of-a-kind works of art. This adds to their overall appeal and makes them highly sought after.

For some examples of how pearls are used within jewelry, have a look at the collection of items from John S. Brana with pieces such as fine silver earrings containing garnets and pearls, and necklaces made of amethyst and Keishi pearls.

The Pearl - June's Birthstone

With its amazing appearance and versatility, the pearl is a gem which can be worn anywhere on any occasion. Pearl jewelry is a great gift idea for that special someone as it fits in with numerous styles and tastes. The pearl is also the birthstone for anyone born in June, and will make a great belated birthday present!

Keishi Pearls - A Brief History

Pearls have been a prized element for jewelry for thousands of years. Although the most expensive pearls earn their price for their regular shape, even lustre and smooth surface many “inferior” pearl shapes are now becoming popular for their unique appearance and striking style that they can add to handmade jewelry. Pearls are produced by mollusks when a small irritant such as a grain of sand gets inside its shell. The mollusk feels this as an irritant and coats the particle with a lustrous substance known as "nacre". Pearls tend to take on the shape of the original particle, which is why perfectly round natural pearls are so rare and valuable.

Keishi pearls are formed when the mollusk rejects the irritant before the cultivating process is completed but still produces the nacre in a freeform shape. They can also be formed alongside a cultured pearl in the mollusk. Originally cultivated by Japanese pearl harvesters in the 1920s, keishi pearls were once considered a by-product or a "mistake" since the irritant was expelled before a round pearl could be produced. But there’s no mistaking the reasons why keishi pearls have become so popular in modern jewelry making. Since they are made entirely of nacre, they have a beautiful shimmer and luster and come in a variety of naturally organic shapes, colors and sizes.

"Cornflake" Keishi Pearls

Keishi pearls are also known as "cornflake" pearls because of their irregular shapes and "poppy seed" pearls since the word "keishi" means poppy seed in Japanese. They are generally small in size but are also available in elongated shapes known as stick pearls. Their unique, asymmetrical shapes make them a favorite choice for those searching for pearl jewelry with one-of-a-kind flair and natural beauty. Once considered to be useless and common, keishi pearls are now cultivated mostly in China, Japan and the South Seas and have become a favorite among handmade jewelry designers. John S. Brana offers stunningly beautiful necklaces among his collection made from iridescent cornflake keishi pearls in varied colors, and complemented by sea glass, Swarovski crystals and fine silver.

June's Birthstone - The Classic Pearl

June’s birthstone, the pearl, has been a favorite gemstone since the days of the Roman Empire. They are the only gemstone created by a living creature and the only one that needs no cutting or polishing to enhance its value.

Pearls are formed when an irritant enters the shell of a mollusk. The mollusk coats the irritant with a substance known as ‘nacre’, and a natural pearl is formed. Since naturally forming saltwater pearls are so rare these days natural pearls have largely complemented by cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are pearls that are formed due to a small bead or other substance placed inside of a mollusk by commercial pearl farms, which originated in Japan in the early 1900s. Today, most cultured pearls are grown and harvested around the world although most come from China, Japan, and the South Pacific. Even though natural pearls are the most highly prized, the only way to determine whether a pearl is natural or cultured is to have it x-rayed by a jeweler.

Freshwater Pearl Grading

Pearls are graded by color, luster, size and lack of flaws. Pearls that are perfectly round are quite rare, and of course, the larger the pearl, the more valuable. However, pearls of varying shapes are also highly prized. Baroque pearls are pearls that are irregularly shaped. Teardrop pearls are most often used in earrings and pendants. Coin or button pearls and smaller rice or keishi pearls are also popular choices for fashion jewelry.

While white is still the most popular color, cultured pearls are available in several other hues, such as pink, purple, blue, champagne, green and black, with black pearls rapidly gaining in popularity. As these colors are naturally occurring, it can be difficult to obtain enough of the same size and color to form one jewelry piece. White pearls are sometimes bleached and pearls may be dyed to produce new colors or to enhance their original color and luster.

 

 

Imitation pearls made from shell or glass are popular due to their affordability and similarity to natural or cultured pearls but they are lighter in weight and not as lustrous as natural or cultured pearls. Pearl wearers should take special care with their jewelry as natural and cultured pearls can be discolored by dyes and solvents. Hairspray and perfumes should be applied before putting on pearl jewelry to avoid dulling the pearl's creamy, lustrous surface.  By taking special care of your pearl jewelry, you will ensure a lifetime wear of  June's Birthstone - the Pearl.