Here’s Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Pearl, Ruby, Peridot and Sapphire.
The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and the sky is clear: it’s finally summer! It’s the perfect time to shake up your wardrobe with new outfits for the season, and of course, no summer look is complete without some fresh new accessories. We may be biased, but here at Ken K Jewelers, we think that summer birthstones are the perfect way to express yourself throughout these warm months and beyond.
The June, July, August and September birthstones are perfectly suited to this sunny season. These unique gems, full of color and life, beautifully complement warm tones and summer vibes. Read on to discover the history and meaning behind each stone, a well as some sunny day jewelry tips from Ken K.
- What is June’s Birthstone?
- June Birthstones and Meanings
- What is July’s Birthstone?
- What is the Birthstone for August?
- What is the Birthstone for September?
What is June's Birthstone?
That’s a bit of a difficult question to answer, because depending on who you ask, June has three birthstones: pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. So if you were lucky enough to be born in the month of June you have three possible birthstones to claim. And they all make for great summer looks! Today we are going to be looking at all three and talking about how to wear them well!
June Birthstones and Meanings
Pearl birthstone
Pearl is the traditional June birthstone, and is unique on our list as the only gemstone which is formed by another living creature. Pearls, naturally created by several species of clams and mollusks, are known as an ‘organic gemstone.’
Once upon a time, pearls could only be harvested in the wild. Nowadays, they can be grown on farms, making them much more accessible (and still just as beautiful). In fact, modern pearl farming techniques have actually created new types of pearls for the consumer market. You can read more about the history of the pearl in our June blog!
This June birthstone is typically associated with purity, humility and innocence. Their beauty and rarity made them common figures in the legends of many cultures around the world. Persian legend, for instance, claims that pearls were created where a rainbow touched the earth after a storm.
Pearls are certainly in right now, as more and more people are choosing to dress down pearls to complement bohemian looks. We think pearls look great paired with sundresses and linens. Choose a pendant with pearl accents for a subtler touch or go bold with a long strand of pearls. We don’t recommend wearing your pearls on the beach–these soft gems can scratch in the sand–but they’ll look just as gorgeous on the boardwalk!
Moonstone birthstone
Our next June birthstone is the moonstone. This stone is best known for its unique glow, technically termed adularescence. Though it might be hard to pronounce, it’s not hard to notice. The highest quality stones have a bluish sheen that seems to literally glow in the right lighting.
Moonstone is associated with new beginnings, and is said to harness the moon’s energy. This ethereal gemstone is very rare and rather fragile, so it requires special care. But if you want to make a stunning statement, a moonstone pendant would be sure to steal the show on a summer night.
Alexandrite birthstone
Last but not least, the third June birthstone is alexandrite. Those born between May 21st and June 21st fall under the Gemini Zodiac sign, represented by a symbol of celestial twins. Gemini are said to have many fascinating sides. The same could be said for alexandrite!
This gemstone actually changes color depending on the lighting, making it a perfect fit for the Gemini in your life. Most prized are those stones that show green in daylight, and red in incandescent light. Miners who first encountered alexandrite famously referred to them as ‘emeralds by day, rubies by night.’
These stones really wow on a cocktail ring, making them a great choice for your summer dates and garden parties. They are also quite durable, so you can wear them often and without too much worry.
What is July's Birthstone?
The July birthstone is the radiant ruby, one of the ‘Big Four’ classic gemstones alongside diamond, emerald and sapphire.
Perfect for the hottest month of the year, rubies are the fiery red gemstones of the corundum family. They’re graded on the quality of their color, and there’s a great variety of shades within the ruby family.
The July birthstone’s meaning is typically associated with passion, intensity, health, and prosperity. Rubies were once common symbols of royalty and prestige. Next time you visit an art museum, take a look–you can find rubies depicted in portraits of many European nobles.
Rubies are easy to wear, and adding them to your look is simple. Find a pair of ruby earrings that match your favorite shade of lipstick and you’ll instantly feel like a star. Ruby birthstone jewelry is also a red-hot match for your perfect red dress. Try a ruby pendant necklace with a floral sundress on a casual day out, or bring out some stunning stud earrings when you need to dress it up. You really can’t go wrong with a ruby!
What's the Birthstone for August?
August has perhaps the most ‘summery’ stone on this list: peridot. Though it may not have the same name recognition as the ruby or the sapphire, we think it deserves just as much attention.
The peridot was actually prized by ancient Egyptian royalty and sometimes referred to as the ‘sunstone’. Take a glance at this gorgeous gemstone and it’s easy to see why! The peridot birthstone boasts a beautiful, unique, yellow-green color that shimmers like sunshine in the light. This gemstone's unique 'double refraction' trait makes it sparkle in its own special way.
Peridot’s yellow-green color makes it a natural match for most summer outfits. Pastels, gem tones, and floral prints are all compatible with peridot. And like any gemstone, peridot can be easily dressed up for a more royal look and feel.
What is the Birthstone for September?
We couldn’t contain our list to just three months. After all, if you've ever gone to the beach in September to catch those leftover rays before fall arrives, you know it’s an honorary summer month.
The September birthstone is sapphire, another member of the corundum family. Though it’s best known for its velvety blue variety, sapphires can come in green, yellow, orange and purple shades. Sapphire is the second-hardest gemstone, second only to the diamond. It was once commonly used in engagement rings. Prince Charles famously proposed to Princess Diana with a 12-carat sapphire stunner. The September birthstone’s meaning is commonly associated with abundance, blessings, and gifts.
Delicate sapphire earrings make a great piece to add to your collection to ease the transition into your autumn wardrobe. Somehow, this fascinating gemstone captures both the beachy blues of summer and the icy hues of winter.
Fine the Perfect Summer Birthstone Jewelry at Ken K. Thompson Jewelers
We hope you’ve enjoyed our style profile and deep dive into the summer birthstones. With the temperatures heating up, now is the perfect time to see some of these unique gemstones for yourself!
Come find your new favorite piece of summer birthstone jewelry at Ken K Thompson Jewelers. No matter what gemstone suits you best, you can find it here with the help of our incredible team. Let us help you pick the perfect gems to wear throughout the summer and beyond!