June Birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
June is one of only three months with three official birthstones. Here is what pearl, alexandrite and moonstone each offer, why there are three, and how to care for them.
Key Takeaways
- June has three official birthstones — pearl, alexandrite and moonstone — according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
- Pearl is the oldest and most affordable June stone. Alexandrite is the rarest and most expensive, prized for changing colour under different light. Moonstone sits in between, loved for its glowing adularescence.
- June ended up with three stones largely because of cost and availability — fine natural pearls and good alexandrite are both scarce, so a softer, cheaper option was useful to have.
- All three are softer or less tough than a diamond or sapphire and need gentler care. Pearl is the most delicate at Mohs 2.5–3.0.
Why does June have three birthstones?
June is one of only three months with three birthstones — pearl, alexandrite and moonstone (the other two are August and December). The reason comes down to history and supply.
Pearl is the old choice and has been tied to June for a very long time. The trouble is that natural pearls — the kind fished from wild oysters — became scarce and expensive once over-harvesting set in, well before cultured pearls were perfected in the early 1900s. Alexandrite, added later, is genuinely rare and can cost more per carat than many diamonds, so it is out of reach for a lot of birthday shoppers. Moonstone came in as a more affordable, widely available option. The upshot is a June lineup with a stone for almost every budget: moonstone at the easy end, pearl in the middle, alexandrite as the splurge.
The three stones side by side
Each June stone has its own character. Here is how they compare on the points that matter when you are choosing a gift or something to wear every day.
| Stone | Hardness (Mohs) | Look | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | 2.5–3.0 | Soft glow, organic, white through to black | Low to mid (cultured); natural is rare |
| Moonstone | 6–6.5 | Floating blue or white sheen (adularescence) | Low to mid |
| Alexandrite | 8.5 | Green in daylight, red under lamplight | High — among the priciest coloured stones |
Pearl: the organic classic
Pearl is the odd one out among gemstones because it is not a mineral. It grows inside a living mollusc, which is why it is so much softer than a cut stone. At Mohs 2.5–3.0 it scratches easily, so it earns its reputation as a gem that needs looking after. Most pearls sold today are cultured — grown by placing a small bead or piece of tissue inside an oyster or mussel — which is what made the once-aristocratic pearl affordable for everyone.
Pearls carry a long association with calm and clean lines, which is part of why they are still the go-to for graduations, weddings and milestone birthdays. If you want the full breakdown of types, colours and grading, our jewellery guide goes deeper, and it is linked further down.
Alexandrite: the stone that changes colour
Alexandrite is the showstopper. It is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that looks green to bluish-green in daylight and shifts to red or purplish-red under warm, incandescent light (GIA). The first fine deposits were found in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1830, and the stone was named after the young Alexander II, then heir to the throne — its red-and-green shift happened to mirror imperial Russia's military colours (GIA).
It is hard and tough at Mohs 8.5 with no cleavage, so it wears well in a ring. The catch is price: genuine, strong-change alexandrite is one of the most expensive coloured gems on the market. A lot of what gets sold cheaply is lab-grown or a different colour-change material entirely, so buy from someone who will tell you plainly which one you are getting. We are happy to walk through the difference on our bench in Coquitlam before you commit.
Moonstone: the glowing middle ground
Moonstone is the best-known gem in the feldspar family, known for adularescence — a soft, floating light that seems to roll across the surface as you tilt it (GIA). It tends to be affordable and is easy to find, which is exactly why it joined June's lineup. At Mohs 6–6.5 it is harder than pearl, but the GIA rates its toughness as poor and notes it can crack from a sharp knock or sudden heat — so it suits earrings, pendants and occasional-wear rings better than an everyday band.
Care: why these three are not interchangeable
This is the part shoppers most often get wrong. The three June stones need genuinely different handling.
- Pearl — wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing, keep it away from perfume, hairspray and acids, and never put it in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner (GIA pearl care). Store it flat and separate so harder jewellery does not scratch it. Restring worn pearl strands every couple of years.
- Moonstone — clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners, and keep it away from high heat. Store it apart so it does not get scratched or knocked.
- Alexandrite — by far the toughest of the three; warm soapy water and a soft brush are fine, and it generally handles daily wear well.
If a pearl strand has gone slack or a moonstone has loosened in its setting, our on-site goldsmith can restring or re-secure it here rather than shipping your piece away.
Gift ideas by stone
- Classic and safe: a cultured pearl pendant or studs — flattering on anyone, and an easy budget to plan around.
- Something unusual: a moonstone ring or earrings for the glow, at a friendly price.
- The big milestone: alexandrite for a 45th anniversary or a serious birthday — rare, durable and a real conversation piece.
For deeper detail on any single stone — hardness, sourcing and value — see our Complete Guide to Fine Jewellery, and if a diamond is on the table for the same occasion, our All About Diamond page covers the four Cs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birthstone for June?
June has three official birthstones: pearl, alexandrite and moonstone, as listed by the GIA. Pearl is the traditional choice, alexandrite is the rarest, and moonstone is the most affordable and widely available.
Why does June have three birthstones instead of one?
It comes down to cost and supply. Natural pearls became scarce and pricey, and fine alexandrite is genuinely rare and expensive. Moonstone was added as a more affordable, easy-to-find option, so there is a June stone for nearly every budget.
Which June birthstone is the most expensive?
Alexandrite, by a wide margin. Strong colour-change natural alexandrite is one of the most expensive coloured gemstones and can cost more per carat than many diamonds. Pearl and moonstone are far more affordable.
Is alexandrite really colour-changing, or is that a trick?
It genuinely changes. Alexandrite looks green to bluish-green in daylight and shifts to red or purplish-red under warm incandescent light, an effect the GIA documents as part of the stone's natural chemistry. Be aware that much cheap alexandrite is lab-grown or a different colour-change material, so confirm what you are buying.
How should I care for a pearl differently from other stones?
Pearl is soft and organic, around Mohs 2.5 to 3.0. Keep it away from perfume, hairspray and harsh chemicals, wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing, never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, and store it separately so harder jewellery does not scratch it.
Can a moonstone be worn in an everyday ring?
It can, but with care. Moonstone is Mohs 6 to 6.5 and the GIA rates its toughness as poor, so it can crack from a sharp knock or sudden heat. It suits earrings, pendants and occasional-wear rings better than a daily band. Choose a protective setting if you want to wear it often.