June Birthstone: Pearl & Moonstone
June's birthstones are pearl and moonstone. Cream to white, and traditionally a symbol of purity, calm.
- Stones
- Pearl & Moonstone
- Colour
- cream to white, milky blue sheen
- Hardness
- Mohs 2.5–4.5 · 6–6.5
- Zodiac
- Gemini · Cancer
Pearl
The only gem grown by a living creature rather than dug from rock — a coat of nacre laid down over years inside an oyster or mussel. Natural pearls were once worth more than diamonds; it was cultured Akoya pearls, farmed off Japan from the early 1900s, that finally made the classic white strand attainable.
Traditionally a symbol of purity, calm, and Mohs 2.5–4.5 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does pearl come from?
Pearl is mined chiefly in Ago Bay, Japan — the home of the cultured Akoya pearl.
Ago Bay, Japan
the home of the cultured Akoya pearl
Where is pearl cut and traded?
Pearl is cut and traded in Tokyo, Japan.
Moonstone
Its blue 'adularescence' — light rolling across the surface like moonlight on water — comes from microscopic layers within the stone scattering light, not from any coating. The finest, near-transparent blue moonstone comes from Sri Lanka.
Traditionally a symbol of intuition, adaptability, and Mohs 6–6.5 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does moonstone come from?
Moonstone is mined chiefly in Sri Lanka — the source of the finest blue-sheen moonstone.
Sri Lanka
the source of the finest blue-sheen moonstone
Where is moonstone cut and traded?
Moonstone is cut and traded in Meetiyagoda & Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries — the modern one was standardised by the American jewellers' trade in 1912 and updated since. Pearl & Moonstone are the modern choices for June. Alexandrite — the rare colour-change gem — is the modern alternate.
Common questions
What is June's birthstone?
June's birthstones are pearl and moonstone. Alexandrite — the rare colour-change gem — is the modern alternate.
What colour is June's birthstone?
June runs two — pearl is cream to white, and moonstone is milky blue sheen.
What does June's birthstone mean?
Pearl traditionally stands for purity, calm; Moonstone traditionally stands for intuition, adaptability — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does June have two birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras, and jewellers' associations later added alternates for choice, durability and affordability — so June carries pearl & moonstone.
Where are pearl and moonstone mined?
Chiefly Ago Bay, Japan — the home of the cultured Akoya pearl. Moonstone comes chiefly from Sri Lanka.
What is the Gemini and Cancer birthstone?
June runs from Gemini into Cancer, and pearl & moonstone serve both — though sign-based tables can differ from the calendar-month lists.
Should you choose pearl or moonstone for June?
Both are official June birthstones, so either is a genuine choice. Pearl (cream to white, Mohs 2.5–4.5) is softer, so it's best kept for occasions or worn as a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Moonstone (milky blue sheen, Mohs 6–6.5) is more delicate. Choose by the colour you prefer, how hard it'll be worn, and budget.
Can you wear June's birthstones every day?
Pearl is Mohs 2.5–4.5 — softer, so best kept for occasions or worn where it takes fewer knocks, like a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Moonstone is Mohs 6–6.5 — softer, so best kept for occasions or worn where it takes fewer knocks, like a pendant or earrings rather than a ring.