Mysterious Pearls and Magical Moonstones
Mysterious Pearls
June birthdays are especially lucky! They not only get one amazing gemstone to celebrate their special month, but 2 incredible gems!
Pearls are some of my favorite gemstones! They come in such a wide array of colors, sizes and shapes! Their luster beats no other! Pearls have been revered for centuries as an adornment and are one of the best loved gems of all time. From Marie Antoinette’s famous Baroque pearl necklace (which recently sold at auction for an incredible $32 million and dates back to the 18th Century!!!), to several American First Ladies (Jackie Kennedy, Barbara Bush to name a few), were all known for their amazing pearls. It just goes to show that pearls have been revered and adored throughout the centuries!
Did you know that pearls come in a variety of colors? The palette of pearl colors extends to every hue from bright white pearls to deep, rich black pearls and everything in-between. Pearls derive their color from the color of the inside of the shell of the oyster. The outside body of the pearl is called “nacre” and it’s the protective coating that the oyster produces to protect itself from a foreign body that enters the shell. Pearls are one of the few “organic” gems. Meaning that they are derived from an animal, not a rock.
The nacre that covers a pearl is delicate, so care must be taken when cleaning and wearing pearls. Avoid ultrasonic machines and harsh cleaners. No abrasives!!!! A soft cloth and a little soap and water will work just fine to keep your pearls shiny!
Magical Moonstones
Many cultures associate the gem Moonstone with moonlight, and it’s easy to see why. The gem is reminiscent of the moon with its white milky color and the way the light scatters through the gemstone. Legends say moonstones bring good luck and that if you hold a moonstone in your mouth during a full moon, you will be able to see the future. I’ve never tried this…but hey…why not?
Moonstones are a hardy stone and are great for most jewelry. They hold up to normal wear well but can be prone to breaking along natural fracture lines in the stone, so care should be taken not to bang them up against a hard surface.
Moonstones have an effect within the stone called “Adularescence”. When light falls into the stone, the thin, flat layers scatter the light in many directions, causing an effect of motion within the stone. Adularescence causes the light to give a glowing appearance within the stone. (You can see the glow at the bottom of the moonstone in the pendant above).
When caring for your moonstone jewelry, warm, soapy water is always safe and best. Mild cleaners should be okay. Because of the many layers that comprise the stone, it’s best to avoid ultrasonics.