{"id":3474,"date":"2021-06-07T10:14:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T16:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shaneco.com\/theloupe\/?p=3474"},"modified":"2024-09-10T17:02:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T23:02:17","slug":"pearls-june-birthstone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shaneco.com\/theloupe\/fashion\/pearls-june-birthstone\/","title":{"rendered":"Pearls \u2013 June Birthstone"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lustrous and sophisticated pearls are the June birthstone. The June birthstone is a unique gem because it is the only one that is not actually a stone, since it\u2019s formed within various species of freshwater and saltwater mollusks, rather than as minerals underneath the earth. Pearls\u2019 feminine elegance makes them perfect to wear for any occasion, and their unique history makes them one of the most interesting gems in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are pearls made? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of real pearls<\/a>: natural and cultured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural pearls are very rare and valuable because they form at\nrandom in nature. When an irritant such as a parasite ends up inside an oyster,\nmussel or clam, the mollusk reacts by producing a fluid, which coats the\nirritant. This coating, called nacre<\/strong>,\ncontinues to build up layers until the pearl as we know it is created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cultured pearls are formed by the same process, but instead of\nrandomly occurring in nature, pearl farmers implant a bead or piece of shell\ntissue into the mollusks. The mollusks are then suspended in salt water or\nfresh water while the pearls grow until they are harvested. The length of time\nto grow the pearls depends on the type of mollusk and the desired pearl size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are cultured pearls considered real pearls? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Cultured pearls<\/a> have the same chemical makeup as natural pearls, in contrast to imitation pearls, which are made when a glass bead is dipped into a solution made from fish scales. This coating is much thinner than that of a real pearl and will eventually wear off. There are no physical differences between cultured and natural pearls and both will hold their value over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To convince Rome that Egypt possessed a wealth greater than\nits conquerors, Cleopatra made a bet with Mark Antony that she could host the\nmost expensive dinner in history. She then crushed a large pair of pearl\nearrings into a cup and dissolved it in liquid, drinking it down to the last\ndrop. Antony subsequently declined the dinner and admitted defeat to Cleopatra.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The unique history of pearls <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While today it\u2019s relatively easy to find real pearl jewelry that features the June birthstone at an affordable price, this wasn\u2019t always the case. In fact, before the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s, pearls were so expensive and rare that only the very rich could afford them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humble beginnings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t know exactly who the earliest pearl\ncollectors are, it\u2019s been hypothesized by George Frederick Kunz, author of the\n1908 publication \u201cThe Book of the Pearl,\u201d that an ancient fish-eating tribe\nalong the coast of India initially appreciated the appeal of pearls after\ndiscovering them from the oysters they consumed in their diet. India\u2019s sacred\nbooks have many references to pearls, as do China\u2019s long-recorded historical\ndocuments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first discovered oyster beds<\/a> lay in the Persian Gulf along the coasts of India and current-day Sri Lanka as well as the Red Sea, but other centers for pearl cultivation, like Panama and Venezuela, were soon discovered. While Chinese pearls came mainly from freshwater rivers and ponds, Japanese pearls were found near the saltwater coasts. The rarity of pearls began to lessen when English colonizers discovered pearls in the riverbeds of Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee. In fact, so many gems were exported to Europe that the New World gained the nickname \u201cLand of Pearls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the height of the Roman Empire, historian Suetonius wrote<\/a>\nthat the Roman general Vitellius financed an entire military campaign by\nselling just one of his mother\u2019s pearl earrings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of cultured pearls <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the 1800s, overfishing in Central and North America\ndepleted oyster beds just as pollution began to set in from industrialization\nin the United States. This is where the story of cultured pearls begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kokichi Mikimoto<\/a>,\nthe son of a noodle maker, and his wife, Ume, had dreams of discovering a way\nfor oysters to produce pearls on demand. They weren\u2019t aware that government\nbiologist Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise had already discovered the secret\nof pearl culturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mise received a patent in 1907 for his grafting needle,\nwhich allowed one to insert an outside contaminant into the oyster\u2019s mantle in\norder to form a pearl sac. When Nishikawa attempted to file the same patent,\nthe two agreed to unite their common discovery and name it the Mise-Nishikawa\nmethod, which is still used today. Mikimoto then altered his technique to\ncreate a patent for creating round pearls. This allowed him to buy the rights\nto the Mise-Nishikawa method and begin his unprecedented expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myths and symbolism <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because they\u2019ve been a popular gem for such a long time,\nthere are a wide variety of myths and symbolism attached to the pearls. They\nare believed to be symbolic of wisdom gained through experience, offer\nprotection, and attract wealth and good fortune to the wearer, as well as bring\nbalance to one\u2019s karma. Most notably, they are a symbol of purity and loyalty,\nmaking them a popular choice for brides on their wedding day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Eve\u2019s tears created white pearls in the\nGarden of Eden, while Adam\u2019s tears produced black pearls. This goes along with\nother religious legends, such as the one where the Hindu god Krishna discovers\npearls from the sea and gives them to his daughter on her wedding day. In\nancient Vedic texts, pearls are considered to be the \u201cDaughter of the Moon\u201d\nbecause of their similarity to the lunar structure. This also contributes to\ntheir association with feminine sensibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standout gifts for a June birthstone<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Pearl necklaces<\/a>: Whether you choose a classic pearl strand<\/a> or a unique pearl pendant, Shane Co.\u2019s selection of pieces that feature the June birthstone is unrivaled. With the highest-quality cultured akoya pearls, you\u2019re sure to stun in these elegant styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pearl earrings<\/a>: With their variation in size and timeless appeal, pearls make the perfect pair of earrings. Go with traditional pearl studs<\/a> or embrace the floral trends of summer with these Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Cluster Earrings<\/a>. Fourteen 5-6mm cultured freshwater pearls form a unique shape, complemented by 12 round sparkling diamonds and high-quality sterling silver. Pair them with a matching pendant<\/a> and ring<\/a> for a complete set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tahitian pearls<\/a>: With a silvery-green finish unrivaled by anything on Earth, Tahitian pearls are a great way to embrace your birthstone while maintaining a more modern look. This Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Y Necklace<\/a> is available with matching earrings<\/a> and comes on an 18\u2033 adjustable chain. With classic touches and on-trend style, this pearl necklace is the perfect June birthstone addition to any wardrobe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to care for your pearl jewelry <\/h2>\n\n\n\n