June is the generous month, because it has not one birthstone but three: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Each is quite different to look at, and each suits a different sort of person. I work most with pearl and moonstone, so these are stones I know well from the bench. Here is how to tell the three apart and how to choose between them.
June’s three birthstones
Having three choices sounds confusing, but it is really a gift. It means a June baby can have the soft glow of a pearl, the dreamy sheen of a moonstone, or the rare color-change magic of alexandrite. The pictures below show how different they are.
Pearl is the classic June birthstone, soft and luminous, grown rather than mined. It is the traditional first choice and the one most people picture.-
Moonstone has a floating blue or white sheen that drifts across the surface as it moves, an effect called adularescence, like moonlight caught in the stone.
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Alexandrite is the rare one, a stone that changes color from green in daylight to red under warm indoor light. Fine natural alexandrite is one of the most valuable gems there is.
Pearl, the traditional choice
Pearl is the stone most people mean when they say June birthstone. It is the only gem made by a living creature, which gives it a quiet, organic beauty no faceted stone can match. I have a particular love for the rare California abalone pearl, with its peacock colors, which I write about in my guide to abalone pearl. Pearls are soft, so they ask for gentle care, but worn often they only look better.
Shopping for a June birthday? See my handcrafted abalone pearl rings and moonstone rings, or ask me about a custom piece.
Moonstone, the dreamer’s stone
Moonstone is my pick for anyone who finds pearls a little expected. That blue-white glow seems to come from inside the stone, and it has a gentle, romantic feel that people fall for instantly. It is a little harder than pearl but still wants reasonable care. I set a lot of it, and you can see the current pieces among my moonstone rings.
Alexandrite, the rare one
Alexandrite is the showpiece of the three. A good one looks green by day and red by lamplight, a real party trick rooted in how the stone absorbs light. Natural alexandrite is genuinely scarce and priced to match, so most affordable alexandrite jewelry uses a lab-grown stone, which gives the same color change for far less.
Which June stone should you choose?
For tradition and soft elegance, choose a pearl. For something a little different with a dreamy glow, choose moonstone. For drama and rarity, and a bigger budget, alexandrite is the one. Any of the three is a proper June birthstone, so it really comes down to the person.
An anniversary stone too
Pearl is also the traditional gift for the third and the thirtieth wedding anniversaries, so it comes round more than once.
Born in October instead?
If you are shopping for an October birthday, that month has its own lovely pair of stones, which I cover in October birthstone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for June? June has three: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is the traditional choice, with moonstone and alexandrite as the other two.
Why does June have three birthstones? Extra stones were added over the years to give more choice and to offer options at different prices, since natural alexandrite is so rare and costly.
What color is the June birthstone? Pearl is usually white or cream, moonstone is white with a blue sheen, and alexandrite changes from green to red depending on the light.
Which June birthstone is the most valuable? Fine natural alexandrite, by a wide margin, because top color-change stones are extremely rare.
Whichever June stone you prefer, I would be glad to help you find or design the right piece. See my abalone pearl rings and moonstone rings, or talk to me about a custom commission.
