Although the pearl is the modern birthstone for June there are two other stones that those born in June can wear and call their own. One is Alexandrite the traditional stone and the other is a Moonstone cabochon.
The Zodiac birthstones for those born in June are:
Gemini – Agate
Cancer – Emerald
Pearls are a wonderful birthstone to have in this day and age. There are so many colors, shapes and sizes to choose from and there are grades that fit all budgets. You can purchase pearls from the least costly cultured freshwater type to the ultra expensive natural south sea varieties. A pearl is said to impart purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, and fertility to the wearer. This is why in the past the simple string of pearls was the choice of brides on their wedding day.
Pearl History
Pearls have been known and valued in many cultures throughout history. As far back as 2300 BC, Chinese records indicate that pearls were prized possessions of (and gifts to) royalty. Ancients Hindu texts from India also repeatedly refer to pearls, stating in one place that the god Krishna discovered the first pearl. In ancient Egypt, mother-of-pearl was used for decorative purposes as far back as 4000 BC, although the use of actual pearls did not come until much later — perhaps the 5th century BC.
The ancient Romans valued pearls highly, especially as a symbol of wealth and prestige — so much so that an effort was made to prohibit the wearing of pearls by those not deserving of them. Perhaps the most celebrated incident involving pearls in Roman history has to do with a banquet given by Cleopatra, the last Egyptian queen, for the Roman leader Marc Antony. The banquet was described by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder in his book, Natural History. Although some current historians dispute the details and significance of the banquet, there is general agreement that the incident described did indeed take place. The essence of the story is that Cleopatra wagered Antony that she could give the most expensive meal ever provided. When the only thing placed in front of her was a vessel of sour wine (i.e., vinegar), Antony wondered how she would be able to win the bet. Whereupon Cleopatra removed one of her pearl earrings — said by Pliny to have been worth 10 million sesterces, the equivalent of thousands of pounds of gold — and dropped it into the vinegar. The pearl dissolved in the strongly acidic solution, and Cleopatra drank it down, winning her wager.
The ancient Greeks also valued pearls, using them especially at weddings, where they were said to bring love. With many natural oyster beds lying along the Persian Gulf, the Arab peoples also placed a high value on pearls, which are described in the Koran as one of the greatest treasures provided in Paradise.
Be sure to visit our Pearls for Girls collection. Here are a few of our pearl creations for your viewing pleasure 
