The birthstones
for June are the alexandrite, pearl, and moonstone.
Alexandrite is extremely rare. It was discovered in 1830 in the
Urals on the day that Prince Alexander II of Russia came of age;
therefore it was named Alexandrite.
The alexandrite is green: it can be almost emerald colored, but
it is more often yellowish or brownish green. Its main characteristic
is the ability to change color if exposed to a light source rich
in red rays (for example, candlelight or incandescent light) it
turns red or purplish red. This unusual phenomenon distinguishes
it from other stones and is highly prized. Alexandrite is so rare
that few people have ever seen one. Even stones with a number
of inclusions are cut.
Mohs hardness: 8.5
Refractive Index: 1.74; 1.75
Specific Gravity: 3.7
The toughness of alexandrite is excellent. Alexantrite may be
cleaned by steaming, ultrasonic, jewelry cleaner, mild soap, and
an untreated cloth. DO NOT boil an alexandrite!
Origin: Limited quantities are found in the Urals, Brazil, Sri
Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.
Color: Green to red
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Pearls are undoubtedly
the most valuable of the "organic" gems. They have been
known since time immemorial in the Orient and where known to the
Greeks and Romans, evidently following the conquests of Alexander
the Great.
All manner of fantastic explanations for the origins of pearls
have been recounted since days of yore. An old eastern legend
has it that oysters rose to the surface of the sea beneath the
moon's rays, opened their shells, and were fertilized by drops
of dew. It was not until the mid-sixteenth century that a Dutch
scholar, Rondoletius, recognized that pearls were pathological
formations in pearl oysters.
Mohs hardness: 2.5-4.5
Refractive Index: none
Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.8
Pears are softer than other gems and should be handled with care.
They should be wiped with a soft cloth after being warn, since
certain substances such as body oils, makeup, hair sprays, and
perfumes can spot their surface. Use mild soapy water to clean
pearls (the soap must not include scents or deodorants!); NO NOT
use cleaning solvents or put them in an ultrasonic cleaner. Store
pearls in a soft cloth or pouch, since they can be easily marred.
Origin: Major sources of harvest are Sri Lanka, the Philippines,
China, Japan, northern Australia, the Persian Gulf, and the Red
Sea. Fresh water pearls are also harvested in Tennessee.
Color: White; white with a touch of gray; yellowish gray-white;
grayish; blackish' iridescent from gray to green-blue-violet;
and pink. Pearls may also be dyed.
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Moonstone, named for its resemblance in color to the moon, is
one of the best known and most valuable varieties of feldspar.
This translucent gemstone features an iridescent sheen called
"adularescence." Moonstone was used in Roman jewelry
about 100 A.D. It was a popular stone with Art Nouveau jewelers.
In India, moonstone is still a sacred gem; East Indian tradition
holds that moonstone is a symbol of the Third Eye and clarifies
spiritual understanding.
Mohs hardness: 6
Refractive Index: 1.53; 1.54
Specific Gravity: 2.62-2.65
The toughness of moonstones is good. Moonstone may be cleaned
by mild soap, or an untreated cloth.
Origin: Sri Lanka, Burma, India, Australia, Madagascar, Tanzania,
United States, Canada, and Brazil.
Color: Soft milky white with gray and blue iridescence is most
popular.
