Pearl meaning: June birthstone and freshwater care

What does pearl mean?

Pearl is known as a gem of beauty and foresight. Its link with foresight shapes our clarity theme: thinking about what matters next.

It’s unusual among gems because a living animal makes it. A natural pearl forms when a mollusc coats an irritant in nacre. A cultured pearl grows the same way with human help: a technician places a bead or a piece of tissue inside the mollusc, which then covers it in nacre.

Is pearl linked to a zodiac sign?

In Astrolith readings it isn’t tied to one sign; it comes up when a reading points to clarity. That means it can sit beside any Sun, Moon or Rising sign.

Its month comes from birthstone lists, not astrology: pearl is the birthstone for June.

How do you choose pearls?

Ours are freshwater pearls. Freshwater cultured pearls are usually grown from a piece of mantle tissue alone, and China is by far the main source.

Pearls are judged on size, shape, colour, lustre, surface, nacre quality and matching. Good lustre shows as sharp, bright reflections. Round is the hardest shape to culture, though well-formed ovals and baroque pearls are prized too. Many or deep surface marks lower both value and durability, and on a bracelet the pearls should match.

How do you care for pearls?

At 2.5 to 3 on the hardness scale, pearl is a soft gem and needs special care. Put on perfume, hair products and make-up before your pearl bracelet, and wipe the pearls with a soft, damp cloth after each wear. Store them apart from other stones and metal jewellery so they don’t scratch, and never in a plastic bag, which can damage their surface.

Pearl beads at Astrolith

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  Freshwater pearl→

Not sure which stones are yours? Read your sky first, or design a bracelet with pearl.