--- title: "Is the Pearl the June Birthstone?" description: "Yes, pearl is a June birthstone, with alexandrite and moonstone: where the US list comes from, what pearls mean, where they come from and how to care for them." canonical_url: "https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/june-birthstone/" last_updated: "2026-11-04" last_reviewed: "2026-10-26" reviewed_by: "Simon" publisher: "Unique Pearl" publisher_disclosure: "Learn About Pearls is published by Unique Pearl, a pearl jeweler." --- # Is the Pearl the June Birthstone? **Short answer:** Yes. Pearl, natural or cultured, is a birthstone for June, together with alexandrite and moonstone, and June is one of only three months with three birthstones. The US birthstone list goes back to 1912, when it was drawn up by the jewelers' association that became Jewelers of America. Pearls have long been linked with purity, humility and innocence, and pearl is also the gem of the third and thirtieth anniversaries. **Key facts:** - The June birthstones are pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. [1, 2] - June is one of only three months, with August and December, that have three birthstones. [1] - The US birthstone list dates to 1912, when the American National Retail Jewelers Association, now Jewelers of America, established it. [2] - Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence, and were traditionally given as a wedding gift. [1] - Pearl is the gem of the third and thirtieth anniversaries. [3] - Cultured pearls make up the vast majority of pearl sales today. [1] - Natural pearls have been found in the Persian Gulf for at least 5,000 years. [1] Pearl is one of three June birthstones, with alexandrite and moonstone. June is one of only three months with three birthstones; the others are August and December. [1] GIA notes that the choice lets people born in June pick a birthstone to suit their mood or budget, since the three gems differ in color and price. [1] ## Natural and cultured pearls both count GIA describes pearl, natural or cultured, as a US birthstone for June. [4] A [natural pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#natural-pearl) forms with no human help, while a [cultured pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#cultured-pearl) is started by a technician who implants [mantle](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#mantle) tissue, alone or with a [shell bead](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#bead), into a host [mollusk](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#mollusk). [1] The page [natural vs cultured pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/natural-vs-cultured-pearls/) explains the difference. ## Where the birthstone list comes from In the United States, the birthstone list goes back to 1912, when it was established by the American National Retail Jewelers Association, which became today’s Jewelers of America. [2] Its current list gives June three stones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. [2] ## What pearls have meant Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence, and GIA sums up the June birthstone’s meaning as “sweet simplicity”. For that reason, pearls were traditionally given as a wedding gift. [1] Pearl is also the gem of the third and thirtieth anniversaries. [3] The pages [pearl symbolism](https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/pearl-symbolism-and-traditions/) and [the pearl anniversary](https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/30th-anniversary-pearls/) say more. Their origin fascinated people long before anyone understood it. Ancient peoples of the Middle East believed pearls were teardrops fallen from heaven, the Chinese imagined they came from the brain of a dragon, and Christopher Columbus and his contemporaries thought mollusks formed them from dew drops. [1] Many cultures linked pearls with the moon because of their round shape, and in Europe they stood for modesty, chastity and purity. [5] The page [how pearls form](https://learnaboutpearls.com/basics/how-pearls-form/) explains what really happens. ## Where June birthstone pearls come from Natural pearls have been found in the Persian Gulf for at least 5,000 years, divers have recovered them from the Red Sea since 300 BCE, and the Strait of Mannar has yielded them since 2000 BCE. [1] From the 16th century, large quantities came from the waters off Mexico, Central America and present-day Venezuela. [1] Only small quantities are found in any of these places today, and thousands of years of pearl fishing have depleted the natural pearl beds, so cultured pearls make up the vast majority of pearl sales. [1] Cultured pearls come from farms around the world. [Akoya](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#akoya) cultured pearls come mainly from Japan and China, especially the southern coasts of Guangdong and Guangxi; [South Sea pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#south-sea-cultured-pearl) from northern Australia through Indonesia to Southeast Asia, with large farms in the Philippines; [Tahitian pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#tahitian-cultured-pearl) from French Polynesia’s Gambier Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago; and [freshwater pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#freshwater-cultured-pearl) mainly from China. [1] ## Choosing a June birthstone pearl The main cultured pearl types differ in color and size. The table compares them using the Learn About Pearls dataset, and the [pearl types](https://learnaboutpearls.com/types/) section describes each one. | Feature | Akoya cultured pearl | Freshwater cultured pearl | South Sea cultured pearl | Tahitian cultured pearl | | -------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | Natural colors | white and cream [6, 7, 8, 9] | white, cream, pink, peach, orange, lavender and purple [6, 9, 10] | white, silver, cream, champagne and golden [4, 9, 11, 12, 13] | gray, greenish gray, black and brown [4, 7, 9] | | Typical size | 6–8 mm [7, 8, 9, 14, 15] | 3–15 mm [7, 9] | 9–16 mm [7, 9, 15] | 8–14 mm [7, 9, 15, 16] | GIA judges pearls on seven [value factors](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#value-factors): size, shape, color, [nacre](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#nacre), [luster](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#luster), surface and matching. [17] The [buying](https://learnaboutpearls.com/buying/) section explains how to compare them. For examples of finished pieces, you can browse [cultured pearl earrings](https://www.uniquepearl.com/collections/pearl-earrings?utm_source=learnaboutpearls\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=wearing\&utm_content=june-birthstone) at Unique Pearl, the jeweler that publishes this guide. ## Caring for pearl birthstone jewelry Pearls rate 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs scale, so they are a comparatively soft gem that needs [special care](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#special-care). [1] GIA advises storing them apart from other gems and metal jewelry, never in a plastic bag, putting them on after perfume, hair products and cosmetics, and wiping them with a soft, damp cloth, ideally after every wearing. [1] The page [how to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/) has the details. ## Questions people ask ### What are the three June birthstones? Pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. Alexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color in different lighting, and moonstone is a feldspar known for a soft, billowing glow called adularescence. [1] ### Is a cultured pearl a real June birthstone? Yes. GIA describes pearl, natural or cultured, as a US birthstone for June. Cultured pearls make up the vast majority of pearls sold today. [1, 4] ### What does the June birthstone mean? Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence, and GIA sums up the June birthstone's meaning as "sweet simplicity". Pearls were traditionally given as a wedding gift. [1] ### What color is the June birthstone? Pearls come in a wide range of colors, from white and cream to pink, lavender, gold, gray and black. GIA lists white, black, gray, yellow, orange, pink, lavender, green and blue. [1, 3] ## References 1. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Birthstones. June Birthstones. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/june-birthstones) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260614074112/https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/june-birthstones) 2. Jewelers of America. Birthstones. [Source](https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-buying-guides/birthstones) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260709191050/https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-buying-guides/birthstones) 3. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260909031512/https://www.gia.edu/pearl) 4. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Description. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl-description) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017085317/https://www.gia.edu/pearl-description) 5. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl History and Lore. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl-history-lore) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260612145202/https://www.gia.edu/pearl-history-lore) 6. Phoebe Shang (2026). Freshwater Akoyas – A Trending Misnomer for Certain Freshwater Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/freshwater-akoyas-a-trending-misnomer-for-certain-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260617073835/https://www.gia.edu/freshwater-akoyas-a-trending-misnomer-for-certain-pearls) 7. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), FAQ. What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/FAQ/gia-faq-about-gemstones-cultured-pearl-types-characteristics) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260510233833/https://www.gia.edu/FAQ/gia-faq-about-gemstones-cultured-pearl-types-characteristics) 8. Artitaya Homkrajae (2024). Remarkably Large Akoya Bead Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2024-gemnews-large-akoya-bead-cultured-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235607/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2024-gemnews-large-akoya-bead-cultured-pearls) 9. CIBJO Pearl Commission (2025). CIBJO Guides Describing and Classifying Natural and Cultured Pearls, the Producing Molluscs & Responsible Pearling. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260212155210/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) 10. CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, Pearl Commission (2026). The CIBJO Pearl Book (Pearl Blue Book) 2026. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235254/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) 11. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. South Sea Pearl Ring (NMNH G10639). [Source](https://naturalhistory.si.edu/explore/collections/geogallery/10002784) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20250925205851/https://naturalhistory.si.edu/explore/collections/geogallery/10002784) 12. Shane Elen (2001). Spectral Reflectance and Fluorescence Characteristics of Natural-Color and Heat-Treated "Golden" South Sea Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2001-heat-treated-golden-south-sea-cultured-pearls-elen) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.37.2.114](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.37.2.114) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260308065638/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2001-heat-treated-golden-south-sea-cultured-pearls-elen) 13. Chunhui Zhou, Artitaya Homkrajae, Joyce Wing Yan Ho, Akira Hyatt and Nicholas Sturman (2012). Update on the Identification of Dye Treatment in Yellow or "Golden" Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2012-cultured-pearls-zhou) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.48.4.284](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.48.4.284) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260309094817/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2012-cultured-pearls-zhou) 14. Areeya Manustrong (2018). Very Small Akoya Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2018-gemnews-very-small-akoya-cultured-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260508145843/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2018-gemnews-very-small-akoya-cultured-pearls) 15. Fisheries Agency of Japan (水産庁) (2026). 真珠養殖をめぐる情勢について (On the situation of pearl culture). [Source](https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/saibai/attach/pdf/shinju-60.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261026000052/https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/saibai/attach/pdf/shinju-60.pdf) 16. Oïhana Latchere and others (2018). Influence of water temperature and food on the last stages of cultured pearl mineralization from the black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera. [Source](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0193863) · DOI [10.1371/journal.pone.0193863](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193863) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260905233729/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0193863) 17. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Analysis & Grading. How GIA Identifies and Classifies Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gem-lab-how-gia-identifies-classifies-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260606232640/https://www.gia.edu/gem-lab-how-gia-identifies-classifies-pearls) **Written by:** Learn About Pearls editors **Fact-checked:** Learn About Pearls editors, October 26, 2026 **Reviewed by:** Simon, October 26, 2026 **First published:** November 4, 2026 **Publisher:** [Unique Pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/about/), a pearl jeweler **Revision history** 1. November 4, 2026: First published. First published **How to cite this page** **APA:** Learn About Pearls editors. (2026). _Is the Pearl the June Birthstone?_ Learn About Pearls. https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/june-birthstone/ **MLA:** “Is the Pearl the June Birthstone?” _Learn About Pearls_, Unique Pearl, November 4, 2026, learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/june-birthstone/. **Chicago:** Learn About Pearls editors. “Is the Pearl the June Birthstone?” Learn About Pearls. Unique Pearl. Last modified November 4, 2026. https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/june-birthstone/. **BibTeX:** `@misc{lap-wearing-june-birthstone, title = {Is the Pearl the June Birthstone?}, author = {{Learn About Pearls editors}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {\url{https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/june-birthstone/}}, note = {Learn About Pearls, published by Unique Pearl}}` Quoting with attribution and a link is welcome. See [how to cite and reuse](https://learnaboutpearls.com/cite/). **Suggest a correction** ## Related pages - [Wearing](https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/): How pearls are worn, the June birthstone and pearl anniversaries, and how to wear pearls safely. - [Pearl types](https://learnaboutpearls.com/types/): Akoya, freshwater, South Sea, Tahitian and keshi pearls, and where each one comes from. - [How to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/): A safe routine for cleaning pearls, what never to use, and how to dry and store them afterward.