Pearl: A Birthstone for June

Representing purity, style and grace, pearls are a timeless classic which have been recognised as June’s primary birthstone for centuries.

The pearl is unlike most other gemstones in that it is not found from within the earth; it is the only gem that is made by a sea creature. Pearls are created when a small piece of rock or grain of sand falls into a clam or oyster, which irritates the mollusc inside. It responds to the foreign material by coating it with overlapping layers of nacre (shell-like calcium carbonate), thus creating a pearl. The nacre layers create the pearl’s signature shimmering exterior when they reflect light.

If the pearl is created on the inside of the shell, it is usually an irregular shape, whereas the more valuable pearls are formed from within the tissue of the mollusc. Although pearls are commonly white in colour, it depends on the species of mollusc and the environment in which it lives. They can also be found in shades of black, grey, blue, yellow, green and mauve!

Throughout history pearls have been regarded as something of luxury, nobility and great worth. Ancient Indian Mythology refers to them as heavenly drops of dew that fell into the sea and were swallowed by oysters. Meanwhile, in Ancient Rome, only women of an esteemed rank would be allowed to wear pearls, often in the form of ornate, multi-stranded earrings. During the Renaissance, women would braid strings of pearls into their hair, and in the 19th Century, tiny seed pearls were used to create elaborate necklaces. Pearls have also been regarded for their medicinal benefits, and are even still used in the Orient as an anti-inflammatory and for cosmetic purposes.

Today, pearls are considered a versatile gemstone; whether you keep jewellery minimalistic, or you enjoy extravagance, you will be able to find a piece of pearl jewellery to suit you. A single pearl on a ring or a pendant would be considered an understated, modern look, whereas a cascading string of pearls would be reminiscent of 1920s fashion. Pearl jewellery is also popular for bridal jewellery, and of course it is also ideal as a gift for someone with a June birthday.

Here at Cuttings we stock a wide range of pearl jewellery, from antique and pre-owned to new jewellery. We also stock pieces that we have created ourselves, so for something completely unique, why not visit us and see what we could offer?