June Birthstone - Pearls

The weather's beginning to heat up as we welcome the June birthstone - Pearl. 

In this blog, we aim to tell you everything you need to know about pearls and share our top picks to help you choose the perfect gift for your June-born loved ones this year.

Updated Content Details: Please Note that this blog has been refreshed to include the latest information. It was published 6 years ago and is now being republished with the latest details.

The Rich History of June Birthstone - Pearls

Pearls are officially the world's oldest gemstone. While it's not known precisely how long pearls have been used in jewellery, the sarcophagus of a Persian princess dating back to 420 BC was found to have small pieces of pearl jewellery hidden within. Rich in history, Julius Caesar once passed a law stating that pearls should only be worn by those belonging to the ruling classes. Pearls were also subject to many myths and legends, with the superstitious knights of the Dark Ages believing that wearing pearl jewellery would keep them safe on the battlefield.

The Fascinating Formation of Pearls

The formation of pearls is perhaps one of the most interesting aspects. Unlike most other gemstones, pearls are not formed in the ground or through chemical interactions but are produced by living organisms - namely oysters and other molluscs. Pearls form when a fragment of shell or other irritant becomes lodged within an oyster's inner body, causing the oyster to secrete a crystalline substance known as "nacre." The nacre builds up in layers, eventually forming a pearl.

Discover the Different Types of Pearls

There are many different types of pearls, with some far more valuable than others. The most sought-after pearls in the world are natural pearls, where the production of the pearl-producing substance, nacre, happens completely naturally underwater. These pearls are extremely rare and very valuable, often selling for millions of pounds. Cultured pearls are formed similarly to natural pearls, but the irritant that causes the nacre to be produced is deliberately placed inside the oyster.

Cultured pearls were invented in Japan in the late 1800s by Kokichi Mikimoto and are far more common than natural pearls. Harvesting oysters was a hazardous task, with divers often reaching depths of up to 100 feet, only to find a handful of good-quality pearls. 

Since the beginning of the 20th century, freshwater pearls have become more common as they can be collected more easily from freshwater molluscs that live in shallow rivers and streams. As well as freshwater, natural and cultured pearls can be found in saltwater. These are less common than freshwater pearls, and that increase in rarity is reflected in the price. Examples of saltwater pearls include Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. Tahitian pearls are also known as "black pearls."

The Jewel Hut's Top Picks for Pearl Jewellery

Over the years, pearl jewellery has become more popular and affordable, while retaining an air of elegance and prestige that makes these stones highly desirable.

Here at The Jewel Hut, we've got a huge selection of pearl jewellery, so it was really difficult to pick our favourites.

However, we've given it our best shot, so take a look at our top picks from a variety of our brands, including our very own The Jewel Hut Collection. Explore June Birthstone Pearl Jewellery at The Jewel Hut!