What Is the June Birthstone? Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
- Lee Molseed
- May 26
- 7 min read
The June birthstone is unusual because there are three recognised choices: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is the traditional June birthstone and the one most people in the UK still associate with June birthdays.
At West Country Goldsmiths in Plymouth, our June birthstone jewellery focuses on pearls: classic studs, drop earrings, pendants and necklaces in yellow gold, white gold and rose gold. Moonstone and alexandrite are also beautiful June options, and we can discuss those through a bespoke consultation if you would like something less traditional.
Traditional June birthstone: pearl.
Modern June birthstone alternatives: moonstone and alexandrite.
Most classic June birthstone colour: white or cream, because of pearl.
Best everyday gift choice: pearl studs or a pearl pendant.
Best choice for rarity: alexandrite, especially fine natural colour-change stones.
What Are the Three June Birthstones?
The three June birthstones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. They appeal to very different tastes, which is why June has one of the most varied birthstone choices of the year.
Pearl: The Traditional June Birthstone
Pearl is the original and most familiar birthstone for June. Unlike most gemstones, pearls are organic gems formed inside molluscs rather than mined from rock. Their soft lustre, smooth surface and natural elegance make them especially popular for earrings, pendants and necklaces.
Pearls are often associated with purity, wisdom, innocence and calmness. We treat these as cultural meanings rather than medical or healing claims, but they do help explain why pearl jewellery remains such a thoughtful choice for birthdays, weddings and milestone gifts.
Moonstone: The Luminous June Alternative
Moonstone is a feldspar gemstone best known for adularescence: the floating glow that can look like moonlight moving beneath the surface of the stone. Fine moonstone is often colourless to milky with a blue or rainbow sheen.
Moonstone is softer than many ring stones, so it is usually better suited to pendants, earrings or occasional-wear rings with protective settings. For a bespoke moonstone piece, we recommend discussing the design in person so the setting suits how the jewellery will be worn.
Alexandrite: The Rare Colour-Change June Birthstone
Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl famous for changing colour in different light. Fine examples can appear green or bluish green in daylight and red to purplish red under warm incandescent light.
Natural alexandrite can be very expensive, particularly in larger sizes with a strong colour change. If you are considering alexandrite, a consultation is the best route because stone quality, size, origin and budget make a significant difference.
For most June birthday gifts, pearl is the most wearable and recognisable choice. Moonstone and alexandrite are excellent alternatives when the brief is more unusual or bespoke.
Why Pearl Is Still the Best June Birthstone for Most Gifts
Pearl works so well as June birthstone jewellery because it is timeless, flattering and easy to wear. A pair of pearl studs can be worn with everyday outfits, bridal styling, workwear and evening dress without feeling too formal or too plain.
Pearl studs are a safe, elegant gift when you do not know someone’s exact style.
Pearl pendants make a thoughtful birthday present without needing a ring size.
Pearl drop earrings feel more dressed-up for weddings, anniversaries and special occasions.
Pearl and diamond designs add sparkle while keeping the birthstone meaning central.
Yellow gold warms pearl tones, white gold gives a crisp modern look, and rose gold feels softer and romantic.
Our pearl jewellery collection includes freshwater pearl, cultured pearl and Akoya pearl options, with examples from simple 7mm freshwater pearl drop pendants through to diamond-set pearl earrings. Prices in the current pearl range begin at £65 and extend to more detailed diamond-set designs.
If you have old or unwanted gold jewellery, you may also be able to sell it to help fund a new June birthstone purchase. Our guide to selling gold in Plymouth explains the process.
Pearl Jewellery Ideas for a June Birthday
When choosing pearl jewellery, start with how the person actually wears jewellery. The best birthstone gift is not always the most expensive piece; it is the piece that fits naturally into their life.
Choose the jewellery type first: earrings, pendant, necklace or ring.
Match the metal to what they already wear: yellow gold, white gold or rose gold.
Decide whether the piece should be simple for everyday wear or more decorative for occasions.
Consider pearl size: smaller pearls tend to feel subtle, while larger pearls make more of a statement.
Think about sparkle: diamond accents can make pearl jewellery feel more celebratory.
Ask a jeweller to check the setting, fittings and care requirements before purchase.
For a first pearl gift, studs or a pendant are usually the easiest choices. They avoid sizing issues and suit a wide range of ages and styles. For a more expressive gift, pearl drop earrings or pearl and diamond pieces create a stronger occasion look.
June Birthstone Colours and Meanings
Because June has three birthstones, there is no single June birthstone colour. The classic June colour is white or cream because of pearl, but moonstone can add a blue or rainbow sheen and alexandrite can shift from green to red-purple depending on the light.
Pearl colour: white, cream, pink, silver, gold, grey or black, depending on pearl type.
Pearl meaning: purity, wisdom, loyalty and elegance in traditional symbolism.
Moonstone colour: milky white, colourless, peach, grey or rainbow with a glowing sheen.
Moonstone meaning: new beginnings, intuition and femininity in folklore and modern symbolism.
Alexandrite colour: green or bluish green in daylight, changing towards red or purple in warm light.
Alexandrite meaning: transformation, creativity and good fortune in gemstone symbolism.
From a workshop perspective, meaning matters most when it helps the wearer feel connected to the piece. Durability, setting style and how the jewellery will be worn are just as important as symbolism.
Pearls, the Sea and Plymouth
The genuine local connection between Plymouth and Pearls is more atmospheric and historic: pearls are strongly linked with water, and Plymouth is a maritime city shaped by the sea.
Pearls form in molluscs, and their history is tied to oceans, rivers, trade routes and coastal cultures. In a city associated with naval history, Devonport, exploration and the Mayflower story, pearl jewellery feels naturally at home: refined, sea-linked and quietly enduring.
For a Plymouth customer, pearl has a local resonance that goes beyond the birthstone calendar: it is a gemstone with a lifelong connection to water, journeys and the sea.
Henry Every, also nicknamed the 'King of Pirates' gives Plymouth a darker and more dramatic pearl connection. Born in Newton Ferrers, just outside Plymouth, Every became one of the most notorious pirates of the 17th century. In 1695, he captured the Mughal treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai, a raid often described as one of the richest pirate hauls in history, with gold, silver and precious jewels forming part of the plunder. His links to the Plymouth area, combined with his sudden disappearance after the raid, helped turn him into a figure of Devon maritime folklore.
There are colourful local stories that stolen pearls and treasure from Every’s crew may have passed quietly through West Country ports after the raid, with some tales imagining sailors selling or losing priceless riches for far less than they were worth. Those details belong more to legend than proven history, so they should be treated carefully. But as a Plymouth jeweller, it is a fascinating reminder that pearls have long been tied not only to elegance and celebration, but also to the sea, trade routes, risk, travel and the extraordinary stories carried into port cities like Plymouth.
The most useful local advantage is practical. You can visit our Plymouth workshop, compare pearl sizes and metal colours in person, and choose a piece with professional guidance rather than guessing from a screen.
How to Care for Pearl Jewellery
Pearls need gentler care than many gemstones. They are comparatively soft, so they can be scratched by harder gems and damaged by chemicals, perfume, hairspray or harsh cleaning products.
Put pearl jewellery on last, after perfume, cosmetics and hair products.
Wipe pearls gently with a soft, damp cloth after wearing.
Store pearls separately from diamonds, sapphires and other harder gemstones.
Do not keep pearls in a plastic bag for long-term storage.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners and abrasive jewellery dips.
Bring pearl jewellery to a professional workshop if settings, clasps or earring fittings feel loose.
Pearl jewellery is made to be enjoyed, not hidden away. With sensible care and occasional professional checks, a good pearl piece can remain a meaningful part of a jewellery collection for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions About the June Birthstone
What is the original birthstone for June?
The original and traditional birthstone for June is pearl. Moonstone and alexandrite are later recognised alternatives, but pearl remains the classic answer.
What is June's birthstone in the UK?
In the UK, June is commonly associated with pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is the most traditional and widely recognised June birthstone.
What are the 12 birthstones for each month?
The commonly used modern list is: January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October opal, November topaz and December turquoise.
What are the 3 June birthstones?
The three June birthstones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. For a more traditional option, choose Pearl jewellery. For a more modern or rare choice, opt for Alexandrite. For something unusual, go for Moonstone.
Is June a rare birthstone?
June has one very rare birthstone: alexandrite. Pearl is widely available in cultured forms, while moonstone is generally more accessible than fine natural alexandrite.
What 2 months have three birthstones?
Alongside June, August and December are also commonly listed with three birthstones. August is often linked with peridot, spinel and sardonyx, while December is linked with turquoise, tanzanite and zircon.
What colour is a June birthday?
The classic June birthday colour is white or cream because pearl is the traditional June birthstone. June can also be linked with moonstone’s blue-white glow and alexandrite’s green-to-red colour change.
What birthstone is June Gemini?
For someone born under Gemini in June, the June birthstones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is usually the safest traditional gift choice.
Did June's birthstone change?
Pearl has not disappeared as June’s birthstone. The list expanded over time to include moonstone and alexandrite, giving June birthdays more choice.
What birthstone is good for Gemini?
For June Geminis, pearl is the traditional birthstone choice. Moonstone and alexandrite are also valid June birthstones if you want something more unusual.
Why is pearl the June birthstone?
Pearl has been associated with June through long-standing birthstone traditions and symbolism around purity, wisdom and elegance. Its natural connection to water also suits June’s softer summer feel.
Book a pearl jewellery consultation at West Country Goldsmiths
Whether you are choosing a simple pearl pendant, classic pearl studs or a more detailed pearl and diamond piece, June gives you one of the most elegant birthstone traditions in jewellery. Call +44 1752 211580 or email enquiry@westcountrygoldsmiths.com for friendly workshop-led advice.
Comments