Pearl
Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. Pearl’s are also the traditional gift for brides to be. No new bride should be without her very own strand of pearls on her special wedding day. Whether worn with a traditional white wedding gown and veil or a specially tailored wedding suit, pearls are definitely a must for every bride-to-be. Of course, there are other appropriate options to compliment the beauty of the bride. Such as, elegant pearl pendants, classic pearl stud earrings or dangling pearl earrings in a variety of traditional or contemporary styles.
Pearls have been recognized as the emblem of love, purity and modesty. Which is probably why the ancient Greeks believed that pearls worn by the bride ensured happiness and fertility.
For hundreds of years history has documented royal weddings where pearls have been the jewel of choice. Traditionally speaking, the gift of pearls for the wedding day remains one of the most cherished customs around the world, an everlasting symbol of love and happiness for a lifetime.
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 and overtones. 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 usually is. And usually the larger the pearl, the greater it's value.
Besides the popular round shape, there are stylish mabé (large hemispherical, assembled, cultured pearls), which usually form against the inner shell wall of the oyster, 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.
Always try and avoid household chemicals, cosmetics, hair sprays, and perfumes and don't use ultrasonic cleaners. Wash with mild soap and water and store in a protective chamois pouch or tissue paper. For those born in June, since it physically resembles some pearls use sometimes moonstone as an alternative birthstone.
