June Birthstones
Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite are June birthstones, Emerald is guardian angel birthstone for June, Beryl is a special apostle birth rock of the month; Sapphire and Agate are Gemini and Cancer zodiacal birth gems respectively. Wonderful choice, isn’t it?
Various pearl necklaces and pendants
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Please read our full disclosure here. Thank you!
In a rush and would like to skip to a particular topic?
Introduction to June birthstones
Having such a wonderful choice, which birthstone is for you? Well, it may be the gem that reflects your personality, it may be the birthstone that you feel most connected to, it may be the birth gem that you like the most or that suits you better, or it may be all of them. In other words, it’s totally up to you!
Humans were always intrigued about possessing a gemstone that is more than just a gem set in a ring or a necklace. A rock with spiritual and mental connection, something close to our heart and soul - a birthstone.
Most birthstones are assigned to months and are based on biblical Aaron's breastplate gemstones or the gems from the foundation of New Jerusalem. I have picked the 4 most authoritative in my opinion lists of birthstones: by birth month, guardian angel birthstones, by zodiac sign, and special apostle birthstones list.
“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.” - wrote philosopher Bernard Williams. June is the month of Great Outdoors and Children's Day, Take Your Dog to Work Day, and (my favorite) National Doughnut Day are celebrated in this month. Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Natalie Portman, Angelina Jolie, Kanye West and countless other celebrities call June their birth month. Also in June, Superman appears for the first time in DC comics, Elizabeth II is crowned as a British monarch, and French gift to the United States "The Statue of Liberty" arrives in New York.
Muriel is assigned as a guardian angel of June. Muriel was a female angel responsible for bringing peace and harmony, teaching love and compassion.
June special apostle is Thomas (תוֹמָאס הקדוש in Hebrew) who is also known as ‘doubting Thomas’ because he did not believe Jesus' resurrection when first told of it. He is a patron of India, Sri Lanka and Croatia, and also considered a patron of builders and skeptics.
Pearl
Pearl
June birth gem - birthdays between June 1 and 30
Like coral, pearl is a byproduct of flora and fauna but is nevertheless a gemstone. Pearl is considered by many the most beautiful of all gemstones. When mentioned in ancient manuscripts, this birthstone cannot be confused with any other gem.
Though sea pearls are the largest and, arguably, the most stunning, freshwater pearls are popular as well have been known for centuries. Mary Queen of Scots possessed a 52 pearl necklace with gems fetched from Scottish rivers.
Modern and elegant pearl necklace
In the Middle East pearl was the gem of purity preserving wearers’ integrity. It was also assumed to offer protection for those who work at sea like seamen or divers.
Cleopatra was rumored to use this birthstone for medicinal purposes.
There was another popular legend stating that pearls lose their luster if they are kept away from human body warmth.
In the most recent times, pearl has become a symbol of high refinement and has been considered the birthstone for a cultured person.
Moonstone
Moonstone
June birthstone - birthdays between June 1 and 30
This birthstone comes in blue hues and looks like a beam of moonlight on water. Hence the name – moonstone. It has to be cut into a cabochon in order for the beam to be revealed.
On the picture above there is Sterling Silver 925 Moonstone Ring designed by MaresiaJewelry
American First Nations believed that moonstones would wash up on the shore when the moon and the sun were in a certain position in relations to each other which occurred around every 21 years, hence the popular phrase ‘once in a blue moon’. This gem was treasured for life and buried with people as an amulet for afterlife.
In the Far East moonstone was considered a gem of good fortune, and the beam it was producing was regarded as an emblem of living spirit within the birthstone. Moonstone was also believed to have the powers to protect sea travelers. In India this gem was highly regarded and sacred. It was thought to bring fortune and was believed to ignite passion and love.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite
June birth rock - birth dates between 1 and 30 of June
Vintage earrings with alexandrite stone
There are very few birthstones that are fairly new and that gained their reputation relatively recently. Alexandrite is one of them.
Named after the Russian czar Alexander II, it is a unique birthstone. Next to diamond in hardness, alexandrite displays an amazing bottle-green tone, but under artificial light it becomes columbine red. ‘Emerald by day, ruby by night’ some people say.
It was considered the symbol of good omen or, in other words, good fortune.
Originally this June birthstone was discovered in central Russia in the 1830s, and now is occasionally found in Brazil, Sril Lanka and Eastern Africa.
Emerald
June guardian angel birthstone - birth dates between June 1 and 30
Pendant with a round shaped emerald
According to a Rabbinical legend, god presented 4 precious stones to King Solomon, and one of these gems was emerald. It was said the presented gems endowed the king with wisdom and power over all creation.
Emerald was prescribed with powers of sharpening human intelligence and showing the path to wealth. Those who wanted to improve their memory and become prominent public speakers were advised to acquire a fine emerald.
In 1205 pope Innocent sent an emerald ring to King John of England, and attached a note to the gift saying that the gem was an emblem of faith.
More about emerald
Beryl
Beryl
Special apostle birthstone for June - birth dates between June 1 and 30
Elegant Solid Gold Natural Morganite Beryl Studs by MARYJOHN
Beryl is also Cancer zodical birth gem.
The name beryl originates for Greek or Latin word ‘beryllus’. Some say it is derived from a Persian word ‘bellur’.
Beryl was a symbol of good fortune. According to Jewish folklore, it allowed the wearer to achieve their goals while working in harmony with others.
The Egyptians used beryl to make amulets in the shapes of animal heads. Beryl amulets were believed to have beneficial medicinal properties as well as protection of travelers from sea sickness and discomfort.
More about beryl benefits and meaning
Sapphire
Sapphire
Gemini celestial birth gem - those born on June 1 to June 20
Several astrologists think that there is no firm line when one zodiac sign replaces the other, and they slightly overlap. In other words, Cancers with birthdays on June 21, 22, and 23 may also wear sapphires as their astral birthstones.
Pendant decorated with different color sapphire gems
The gem derives its name from Greek word ‘sappherios’ meaning sapphire and was generally used as a boys name at the time. There are various renditions of the name for this birthstone like for example sapphyr, sapir, saiffer, saffre, safeur etc. In Sanskrit sapphire meaning is ‘dear to Saturn’, god whose reign was regarded as a golden age. In ancient times another gemstone, lapis-lazuli, was actually referred to as sapphire.
Egyptians valued sapphire for its deep blue color which symbolized the purity of character. They often engraved the gem with rays of the sun and inlaid the carving with gold.
More about sapphire virtues and healing properties
Agate
Agate
Cancer zodiacal birthstone - birthdays between June 21 to June 30
Some astrologists believe that when zodiac signs ascend and descend they share the similar virtues with preceding and succeeding signs, and therefore it may be acceptable for Gemini born on June 18, 19, and 20 to use agate as their zodiacal birthstone as well.
Pink agate necklace
Agate is mostly banded variety of quartz. It is a hard mineral which makes it a good gem for everyday wear.
This birthstone comes in all imaginable colors with several of them often present in one gem: yellow and green, purple and red, pink and blue, milky-white lilac and orange, etc. Patterns that mother nature creates in agates are mesmerizing.
It was believed that carrying agate amulet would protect the wearer from infections and viruses. Wearer of this gemstone was assured of long life, health and prosperity.
More about birthstone agate