Vardy's Jewelers

June is one of only two months in the year where there are two exceptional choices for a birthstone: Alexandrite or Pearl. How lucky is that, June birthdays?

ALEXANDRITE: EMERALD BY DAY, RUBY BY NIGHT

Alexandrite, along with sapphire and garnet, is a chameleon in the world of precious gemstones. Discovered in Russian emerald mines in the 19th century, Alexandrite is unique in that it changes color from green to red, depending upon the surrounding light source. A member of the chrysoberyl mineral family, it appears bluish green in daylight and purplish red under incandescent light.

Alexandrite gemstones contain traces of chromium, the same coloring agent found in emeralds. Like magical, mystical emeralds (which were also created via the most unlikely of circumstances), Alexandrite is quite rare and often more valuable than either rubies or diamonds.

Believed to strengthen intuition and creativity, Alexandrite is considered to aid concentration as well as bring good omens to anyone who wears them. While many of the most prized specimens still come from Russia, other noteworthy gems are mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa.

PEARL: LUSTER SHAPED BY NATURE

Pearls are the only precious gems created by living creatures (oysters and mussels). Layers of calcium carbonate are deposited around microscopic irritants to form pearls, not grains of sand as is commonly believed. There are only two groups of bivalve mollusks, specifically salt water pearl oysters and fresh water pearl mussels, that use mother-of-pearl to create highly valued iridescent “nacreous” pearls used in jewelry. Pearls also do not require polishing to reveal their natural luster.

The rarest and most expensive pearls, aka 'natural pearls', are made in the wild. Most pearls sold today are cultured or farmed by implanting a grafted piece of shell or a round bead into pearl oysters or pearl mussels.

Pearls are classified into four primary categories: Akoya (classic white, round pearls from Japan), Tahitian (dark, exotic specimens from French Polynesia), Freshwater (affordable, fashion-forward pearls cultured in fresh water and available in a variety of shapes and colors) and South Seas (the Rolls Royce of pearls...generally the largest salt water pearls in terms of size and in luminous shades from white to gold).

Pearls are one of few gems not measured in carats. They are graded and characterized by size (in millimeters) and by reflective luster. The most prized pearls appear creamy white with an iridescent sheen casting many colorful hues. Cultured fresh water pearls may be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple or black; interestingly, "black" Tahitian pearls are not actually black but instead are deep shades of silver, green, blue or purple.

In many cultures, pearls symbolize purity and innocence, thus many brides choose to wear pearls on their wedding day. Pearls are also traditionally given as a 30th wedding anniversary gift.

We have a large selection of all types of pearls and can expertly restring your precious strands if they get damaged. Pearls make a wonderful gift to be passed down from generation to generation!

Sources: American Gem Society and Pearl Paradise