Pearls – June Birthstone and Queen of Gems
Pearls are a lustrous gem that has adorned rulers and powerful women for millennia. They can be either natural or cultured, but both are highly sought after.
They come in a variety of colours and shapes – the most familiar colours are white and cream in a round form – but the palette extends to every hue including grey, silver and deep green. Pearls are the June Birthstone and often thought to symbolise love, luck and peace.
Decorate your décolletage in style with a beautiful necklace made from cultured pearls or mount pearls in solitaires, pairs, or clusters for use as earrings, rings and pendants. Larger and unusually shaped pearls may be crafted into creative jewellery designs.
Let’s dive deeper into pearls and learn what makes them so special!
Australian Pink Diamond & Pearl Earrings
Where Do Pearls Come From?
Pearls were discovered occurring naturally inside of oysters thousands of years ago – around 1 in 10,000 held the elusive prize. They are the only gem that is formed by an animal, as all other gemstones are formed deep inside the Earth from minerals and pressure. Cultured pearls are grown naturally but received tender human care until they are ready to be harvested.
There are four types of cultured whole pearl:
Akoya cultured pearls are a saltwater cultured pearl that has a classic white or cream hue and are produced in Japan and China.
South Sea cultured pearls can be white to silver or golden, depending on the type of oyster. They are larger, take longer to grow and are sensitive to conditions all of which contributes to their value. They are produced in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Tahitian cultured pearls have a wide colour range spanning grey, black or brown with blue, green, purple or pink overtones. As the name suggests, they are cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia, namely Tahiti.
Freshwater cultured pearls are the most commonly produced pearls, made favourable by their remarkable size, shapes and colours, plus commercial availability meaning they are available at lower price points. They can be cultured in freshwater lakes or ponds, with the ability for many pearls to grow in a single oyster. China is a leading supplier of freshwater cultured pearls.
Argyle Jewellers pearl jewellery collection includes each of these types of a beautiful pearl.
A Symbol Of Feminine Power
Flaunted by famous celebrities and reigning monarchs alike, pearls have become the go-to gem for powerful women. Their simplicity, elegance and exquisite white lustre make them easily adored.
Two thousand years ago, they were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth. As recounted by Pliny the Elder, Cleopatra flaunted them to Marc Antony during the heated love affair and even ate one to win a bet and prove Egypt was not in need of the riches of Rome. This story continues to be told and symbolises the affinity between powerful women and pearls — hence why they are often referred to as “the queen of gems”.
More modern popular figures that have showcased the beauty of pearls include Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton and perhaps most famously Queen Elizabeth II.
Meaning Of Pearl As June’s Birthstone
In the world of Astrology, the traditional birthstone for June is pearl. It represents love, luck, wisdom and peace. The purity of white pearls is often used to symbolise innocence and sincerity, making pearl jewellery a suitable choice for blessing life’s new beginnings — such as weddings, house moves and babies.
Explore Pearl Jewellery At Argyle Jewellers
Let the search for stunning pearls take you to Argyle Jewellers. With over 30 years of experience helping clients find their perfect piece of jewellery, we are true professionals who take pride in what we do. We promise to go above and beyond to ensure you receive an amazing experience.
Our polite and helpful team let you browse in peace whilst being ready to answer all of your questions and make the whole process stress free.
Visit us at Westfield Carindale or Westfield Garden City. Alternatively, you can browse our pearl jewellery collection online or contact us about any enquiries.
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