Most people are surprised to learn that there are 19 birthstones in our 12-month calendar. That means some months are represented by one
stone, others by two, and there’s even one represented by three! Choices are
wonderful things, especially when it comes to jewelry design and colorful
options to mix and match – but it can also be a bit confusing.
When you hear “April,” you probably think “Diamond”. You hear “December,”
you most likely think “Tanzanite” (but really, December is the month with three
stones!)
Over the next 12 months, you can visit our blog to learn all
about each month’s stone (or stones). For now, we’ll start with June.
Pearls are a girl’s best friend in June, but so is a
lesser-known friend – and a mighty vibrant and ever-changing one – named Alexandrite.
No description for pearls is needed. They are simply elegant and timeless, and
you June babies are lucky to have them! Want to add a little color to good ol’
Pearl? Enter Alexandrite – a scarce and valuable stone that possesses
chameleon-like features. In different lights, it can change from greenish-blue
to purplish-red.
Of all the stones in the world, Poway Fine Jewelers Owner Tim Dooley says Alexandrite is by far, his favorite. With such a variety of colors and shades and styles, choosing a favorite gem might seem tough, but for Tim, it's the stone's durability, beauty and timelessness that make it stand out. And fortunately, after a time in the 19th century when the stone was headed toward extinction, the discovery of Alexandrite in Brazil in the mid 1980s has doubled the world's supply.
When you blend June's two stones, here's what you can get! (Look below the pictures for some fun facts about Pearls and Alexandrite!)
Pearls:
- Natural pearls are extremely rare and very costly
- Most pearls are "cultured," meaning they are grown in a pearl farm
- More than 10,000 pearls may be sorted before a 16" single strand of beautifully matched pearls can be assembled
- Saltwater pearls include the akoya cultured pearls and are grown in Japanese and Chinese waters; they typically range in size from 2 mm to 10 mm and are usually round and white or cream in color
- Freshwater pearls are grown in freshwater lakes, river,
and ponds predominately in China
- Imitation pearls are usually a coated glass bead
Alexandrite:
- Alexandrite is a relatively modern gem, discovered in Russia in 1831
- In addition to Alexandrite's green-to-red color change (from daylight to incandescent light), some Alexandrite can change from yellowish or pink to raspberry red
-Alexandrite is often referred to "emerald by day, ruby by night"
-In addition to one of June's birthstones, Alexandrite is also the gem for the 55th wedding anniversary
Of all the stones in the world, Poway Fine Jewelers Owner Tim Dooley says Alexandrite is by far, his favorite. With such a variety of colors and shades and styles, choosing a favorite gem might seem tough, but for Tim, it's the stone's durability, beauty and timelessness that make it stand out. And fortunately, after a time in the 19th century when the stone was headed toward extinction, the discovery of Alexandrite in Brazil in the mid 1980s has doubled the world's supply.
When you blend June's two stones, here's what you can get! (Look below the pictures for some fun facts about Pearls and Alexandrite!)
- Natural pearls are extremely rare and very costly
- Most pearls are "cultured," meaning they are grown in a pearl farm
- More than 10,000 pearls may be sorted before a 16" single strand of beautifully matched pearls can be assembled
- Saltwater pearls include the akoya cultured pearls and are grown in Japanese and Chinese waters; they typically range in size from 2 mm to 10 mm and are usually round and white or cream in color
- Freshwater pearls are grown in freshwater lakes, river,
and ponds predominately in China
- Imitation pearls are usually a coated glass bead
Alexandrite:
- Alexandrite is a relatively modern gem, discovered in Russia in 1831
- In addition to Alexandrite's green-to-red color change (from daylight to incandescent light), some Alexandrite can change from yellowish or pink to raspberry red
-Alexandrite is often referred to "emerald by day, ruby by night"
-In addition to one of June's birthstones, Alexandrite is also the gem for the 55th wedding anniversary
