June has three birthstones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is the oldest and most familiar choice, moonstone is known for its floating blue glow, and alexandrite changes from green in daylight to red under warm light. The three stones range from 2.5 to 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so the right pick depends on how often you will wear it (GIA).
This guide covers June only. For every month in one view, see the birthstone chart by month.
What Are the June Birthstones?
The three June birthstones are pearl, an organic gem grown inside a mollusk; moonstone, a feldspar mineral; and alexandrite, a rare color-change variety of chrysoberyl. All three are equally official, so anyone born in June can choose any of them.
| Quick facts | Pearl | Moonstone | Alexandrite |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Organic gem from an oyster or mussel | Feldspar (orthoclase) | Chrysoberyl |
| June color | White, cream, pink, peach, gray, black | Colorless to milky with a blue or white sheen | Green in daylight, red to purplish red in warm light |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 to 3 | 6 to 6.5 | 8.5 |
| Toughness | Soft; scratches easily | Poor | Excellent |
| Status on the list | Original 1912 June stone | Original 1912 June stone | Added in 1952 |
Hardness, toughness and composition follow the GIA June birthstone guide.
Why Does June Have Three Birthstones?
June has three birthstones because the 1912 American list already gave June two stones, pearl and moonstone, and a 1952 update added alexandrite. The 1912 list was set by the American National Retail Jewelers Association, the trade group now known as Jewelers of America.
The 1912 American birthstone list named pearl and moonstone for June. Jewelers of America updated the list in 1952 and added alexandrite for June, along with citrine for November, tourmaline for October and zircon for December. That update explains why June now offers three birthstones in three very different looks (National Jeweler, 2016).
The timeline comes from National Jeweler's history of the birthstone list. The American Gem Society notes that June is one of only two months with three birthstones. The result is a rare range, from soft white luster to a crisp color-change gem.
Pearl: The Original June Birthstone
Pearl is the original and best known June birthstone, and the only one of the three made by a living creature. GIA explains that pearls grow inside the tissue of a saltwater or freshwater mollusk, either an oyster or a mussel.
Pearl symbolism runs deep. GIA reports that the oldest written mention of natural pearls dates to 2206 BC, recorded by a Chinese historian. In ancient China, pearls were believed to protect against fire and fire-breathing dragons, and in Europe they came to symbolize modesty, chastity and purity.
Pearl is the softest June birthstone at 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, according to GIA. Moonstone sits at 6 to 6.5 and alexandrite at 8.5. Pearl birthstone jewelry therefore suits necklaces and earrings, where the gem meets fewer hard surfaces, better than rings worn during busy days (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Natural pearls are rare today. GIA notes that Japanese pioneers produced whole cultured pearls around the beginning of the twentieth century, and cultured pearls became commercially important in the 1920s. For June gifting, explore the EVRY pearl collection.
Moonstone: June's Glowing Feldspar
Moonstone is the June birthstone for anyone who loves a soft, shifting glow. Its signature effect is adularescence, the light that seems to billow across the stone as it moves. GIA explains that the effect comes from thin alternating layers of two feldspar minerals, orthoclase and albite, that scatter light.
The finest moonstone shows a blue sheen against a colorless background, according to GIA. Some stones also show a cat's eye effect. Moonstone is mined in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania, with US finds in New Mexico, North Carolina and Virginia.
Moonstone lore is all about the moon. The American Gem Society credits the Roman natural historian Pliny with the name, since he wrote that its shimmer shifted with the phases of the moon. According to GIA's moonstone overview and its history notes, Hindu mythology describes moonstone as solidified moonbeams, and Art Nouveau designers such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany featured it.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change June Birthstone
Alexandrite is the June birthstone that changes color: vivid green to bluish green in daylight or fluorescent light, and intense red to purplish red under incandescent light. GIA calls fine alexandrite exceptionally rare and valuable.
Major alexandrite deposits were first found in 1830 in Russia's Ural Mountains, and the gem was named after the young Alexander II, according to GIA. Alexandrite's red and green echoed the national military colors of imperial Russia. Alexandrite also rates 8.5 on the Mohs scale with excellent toughness, the most durable June birthstone (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Most alexandrite today comes from Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Because fine natural stones are so rare, lab-created alexandrite is a common alternative; GIA notes that synthetic gems share essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural ones. Many fashion birthstone pieces also represent June with a light purple or lavender stone, a nod to alexandrite's purplish red side.
Pearl vs Moonstone vs Alexandrite: Which June Birthstone Should You Choose?
Choose alexandrite for daily rings, moonstone for pieces you wear with some care, and pearl for necklaces and earrings. The comparison below adds price tier and cleaning, so you can match the stone to real life.
| Stone | Mohs hardness | Color range | Relative price tier | Everyday wear | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | 2.5 to 3 | White, cream, pastel, dark tones | Wide range; natural pearls are rare | Best in necklaces and earrings | Soft damp cloth after wearing |
| Moonstone | 6 to 6.5 | Colorless to milky with blue or white sheen | Varies; strong blue sheen costs more | Good for pendants and earrings; protect rings | Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no steam or ultrasonic |
| Natural alexandrite | 8.5 | Green to red color change | Very high; fine material is exceptionally rare | Excellent, including rings | Warm soapy water; ultrasonic and steam usually safe |
| Lab-created alexandrite | Same properties as natural | Green to red color change | More accessible than fine natural stones | Excellent, including rings | Same as natural |
Price tiers are relative, drawn from GIA's notes on rarity and quality, not fixed prices. Hardness and cleaning guidance come from GIA.
Care is simple once you know the stone. GIA advises wiping pearls with a soft, damp cloth after each wear and keeping perfume, hair products and cosmetics off them. Moonstone is sensitive to heat, so skip steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Alexandrite is the easiest of the three to clean.
How to Wear and Gift a June Birthstone
A June birthstone gift works best when the stone matches how the wearer lives. Pearl suits pendants and earrings, moonstone shines in pieces that catch the light, and alexandrite handles everyday rings.
For a single pearl moment, the Lucky Pearl Necklace and the Single Pearl Drop Necklace keep the focus on one stone. Browse more in pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and the Pearly Girl collection.
For a personalized June gift, choose a birthstone necklace and select a June color. Compare the Faye Birthstone Necklace, Noa Birthstone Necklace, Kali Birthstone Necklace and Celeste Birthstone Necklace. Stone options and details can change, so check each product page.
Want a color-change or lavender look instead of pearl? Explore gemstone rings and gemstone earrings. Add a card that explains which June stone you chose and why, and the gift carries its meaning with it.
Frequently Asked Questions About the June Birthstone
What is the color for a June birthday?
June has three birthstone colors: the creamy white of pearl, the blue or white sheen of moonstone, and alexandrite's green that turns red to purplish red under warm light. Pearls also come in pink, peach, gray and black. Many fashion birthstone pieces use a light purple or lavender stone for June, which echoes alexandrite. Any of the 3 looks is a correct June color.
Why does June have three birthstones?
June has three birthstones because the 1912 American birthstone list named two stones for June, pearl and moonstone, and a 1952 update by the trade group now called Jewelers of America added alexandrite. The extra stones give buyers different colors, durability and price points. June is one of only two months with three birthstones, according to the American Gem Society. The other is December.
Is June the rarest birthstone?
June includes one of the rarest birthstones. GIA describes fine alexandrite as exceptionally rare and valuable, and larger, high quality stones rise in price dramatically. Natural pearls are also rare. Pearl and moonstone jewelry, however, is widely available, and lab-created alexandrite offers the same color change at a more accessible price. So June spans both rare and accessible options, from 2.5 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale.
What is the original June birthstone?
Pearl is the original June birthstone in most people's minds, and it shared the June spot with moonstone on the first official American list in 1912. Alexandrite arrived later, in the 1952 update. Pearl's long history helps explain its status: GIA reports the oldest written mention of natural pearls dates to 2206 BC. Pearl remains the most traditional June gift today.
Which June birthstone is best for everyday wear?
Alexandrite is best for everyday wear. Alexandrite rates 8.5 on the Mohs scale with excellent toughness and no cleavage, according to GIA, so it handles daily rings well. Moonstone, at 6 to 6.5 with poor toughness, suits pendants and earrings worn with care. Pearl, at 2.5 to 3, is softest and works best in necklaces and earrings. Match the stone to the piece and to daily habits.
Celebrate a June birthday with the gem that fits their style, starting with the EVRY pearl collection or gemstone necklaces.
