June's Birthstone - The Pearl

Actually June is one of two months that has three birthstones! The Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone.

For the sake of simplicity, we will stick with the Pearl for this post.

Pearls have been used as adornment for centuries —at least as far back as ancient Greece, where they believed pearls were tears of the gods. The oldest known pearl jewelry was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess who died in 520 B.C.

Ancient Japanese folktales told that pearls were created from the tears of mythical creatures like mermaids and nymphs. Early Chinese civilizations believed that dragons carried pearls between their teeth, and the dragon must be slain to claim the pearls—which symbolized wisdom.

Other cultures associated pearls with the moon, calling them “teardrops of the moon.” Hindu folklore explained that dewdrops fell from the moon into the sea, and Krishna picked one for his daughter on her wedding day.

Because natural pearls were so rare throughout history, only the richest echelon could afford them. During the Byzantine Empire, rules dictated that only the emperor was allowed to wear these treasured gemstones. Ancient Egyptians were often buried with their prized pearls.

In fact, there is a famous fable that Cleopatra had a wager with Marc Antony, betting that she could host the most expensive feast! At the end of the party, Marc Antony conceded that, although the food and drink were by far superb, it was by no means the most expensive that he had seen. At this, Cleopatra pulled one of her pearl earrings off and dropped it in her goblet of wine. This pearl was perportedly so expensive, to be worth the price of TEN kingdoms!

Byzantine Necklace

When the pearl dissolved, she drank the last of the wine, thereby making it, truly, the most expensive feast ever!

Tudor England was known as the Pearl Age because of the stone’s popularity with the upper class during the sixteenth century. Portraits showed royals wearing pearl jewelry and clothing adorned with pearls.

Pearls became more accessible in the early 1900s when the first commercial culturing of saltwater pearls began in Asia. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market—making this classic gemstone affordable for nearly any budget.


Come check out our beautiful Byzantine Necklace that is adorned with beautiful circle freshwater pearls here at Handmade Jewelry Haven!

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source: American Gem Society


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A Passion For Pearls

Pearls are the oldest known gem, and for centuries were considered the most valuable. So valuable that the Roman General Vitellius allegedly financed an entire military campaign with just one of his mother's Pearl earrings.
Pearls have been used for personal ornament for thousands of years. They were probably one of the earliest gems found by prehistoric man. Pearls represents purity, innocence and integrity. They have long been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. In the Hindu religion, the presentation of an un-drilled Pearl and its piercing has formed part of the marriage ceremony. The Chinese used pearls in medicinal ways to cure eye ailments, heart trouble, indigestion, fever and bleeding. To this day pearl powder is still popular in China as a skin whitener and cosmetic. In India, pearls were believed to give peace of mind and strength of body and soul. Europeans thought that swallowing whole or powdered pearls cured matters of the mind and heart, and strengthened nerves.
Pearl is the June Birthstone. They have long been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. Traditionally it is practically a requirement for brides. In the west, Pearls are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their third and 30th wedding anniversaries.

The traditional gemstone properties for Pearl are Purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility.

Because of their natural beauty, pearls are associated with the matrix of life. Proponents say that the pearl helps balance one's bodily rhythms and hormonal levels with lunar cycles. Some claim that pearls can be used to help tap inner wisdom and to nurture the growth of love.
Pearls are said to have a strong magnetic healing power. Gem therapists believe that pearls strengthen the nerves, adrenal glands, spleen and muscular system.
Pearls are also helpful with stomach ulcers. They support the intestinal tract and stimulate digestion. They also relieve fever and headaches. Pearls provide vitality and strengthen your eyes. They also help in case of calcium deficiency.
Pearls enable one to accept love. It allows the bearer to see the good parts of oneself so you can love yourself and others more. Pearls are also thought to increase fertility and ease the pain of childbirth.

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source; Special Gifts