June Birthstone: Pearl & Moonstone & Alexandrite
June's birthstones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is cream to white and traditionally associated with purity, calm; Moonstone is milky blue sheen and traditionally associated with intuition, adaptability; Alexandrite is green to purplish red and traditionally associated with change, rarity, balance.
Modern U.S. list · reviewed by MyPiece Editorial · 2026-08-04
- Stones
- Pearl & Moonstone & Alexandrite
- Colour
- Pearl: cream to white · Moonstone: milky blue sheen · Alexandrite: green to purplish red
- Hardness
- Pearl: Mohs 2.5–4.5 · Moonstone: Mohs 6–6.5 · Alexandrite: Mohs 8.5
- Zodiac
- Gemini · Cancer
Pearl
Modern U.S. list · term 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 cultivated around Ago Bay, Japan. A historic centre of cultured Akoya pearl production.
Cultivated around Ago Bay, Japan
Mie Prefecture · Japan
A historic centre of cultured Akoya pearl production.
Where is pearl cut and traded?
Pearl is cut and traded in Tokyo, Japan.
Moonstone
Modern U.S. list · term 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 around Sri Lanka. Known for fine blue-sheen moonstone.
Mined around Sri Lanka
Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces · Sri Lanka
Known for fine blue-sheen moonstone.
Where is moonstone cut and traded?
Moonstone is cut and traded in Meetiyagoda & Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
Alexandrite
Modern U.S. list · term alexandrite
Alexandrite is chrysoberyl with a rare colour-change effect: green or bluish green in daylight, red to purplish red under incandescent light. The first major deposits were found in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s; those deposits are largely gone, which is why fine alexandrite is scarce and often expensive.
Traditionally a symbol of change, rarity, balance, and Mohs 8.5 — tough enough for everyday wear. How to care for it →
Where does alexandrite come from?
Alexandrite has no single source pin on MyPiece. Modern alexandrite is sourced across several regions after the historic Ural deposits declined.
Multiple source regions
Modern alexandrite is sourced across several regions after the historic Ural deposits declined.
Where is alexandrite cut and traded?
Alexandrite is cut and traded in Jaipur, India.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries. This page follows the Jewelers of America modern U.S. list. Pearl & Moonstone & Alexandrite are the modern listed stones for June. Pearl and moonstone have deep traditional roots; alexandrite is the rare colour-change modern addition.
Common questions
What is June's birthstone?
June's birthstones are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl and moonstone have deep traditional roots; alexandrite is the rare colour-change modern addition.
What colour is June's birthstone?
June's stones span pearl (cream to white), moonstone (milky blue sheen) and alexandrite (green to purplish red).
What does June's birthstone mean?
Pearl traditionally stands for purity, calm; Moonstone traditionally stands for intuition, adaptability; Alexandrite traditionally stands for change, rarity, balance — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does June have more than one birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras. On the modern U.S. list maintained by Jewelers of America, June carries pearl, moonstone and alexandrite; traditional and regional lists may differ.
Where are pearl, moonstone and alexandrite sourced?
Pearl is cultivated around Ago Bay, Japan. A historic centre of cultured Akoya pearl production. Moonstone is mined around Sri Lanka. Known for fine blue-sheen moonstone. Alexandrite has no single source pin on MyPiece. Modern alexandrite is sourced across several regions after the historic Ural deposits declined.
What is the Gemini and Cancer birthstone?
June runs from Gemini into Cancer, and pearl & moonstone & alexandrite serve both in the calendar-month list. Sign-based tables can use different traditions.
Which June birthstone should you choose?
Pearl is cream to white and Mohs 2.5–4.5, so a protected setting and gentler wear matter; Moonstone is milky blue sheen and Mohs 6–6.5, so a protected setting and gentler wear matter; Alexandrite is green to purplish red and Mohs 8.5, making it more suitable for frequent wear. Choose by colour, intended wear, setting protection, and which tradition or source story matters to the wearer.
Can you wear June's birthstones every day?
Pearl is Mohs 2.5–4.5; use a protected setting and avoid repeated knocks, scratches and harsh cleaning; Moonstone is Mohs 6–6.5; use a protected setting and avoid repeated knocks, scratches and harsh cleaning; Alexandrite is Mohs 8.5 and is generally more suitable for frequent wear. Hardness is only one care factor, so the setting and the stone's condition still matter.
Sources & further reading
Pearl
- GIA - Pearl Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Cultured pearlchecked 2026-08-04
Moonstone
- GIA - Moonstone Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Moonstone (gemstone)checked 2026-08-04
Alexandrite
- Jewelers of America - Birthstone Jewelrychecked 2026-08-04
- GIA - June Birthstones: Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstonechecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Alexandritechecked 2026-08-04