Pearl delights: The best birthstone jewels for June
There are few gems more fascinating than the noble pearl, the birthstone for June. Traditionally spherical in shape, these lustrous orbs are the only gem formed by a living organism, which makes their existence all the more miraculous. While not so long ago pearls had a reputation for being prim and proper, today they are being celebrated once again, with many designers putting these shimmering gems centre stage in spectacular jewels with standout appeal.
In ancient times pearls were believed to have magical powers and their luminescent beauty has enchanted throughout the ages. In classical Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate status symbol and they were equally prized in Ancient Egypt. According to legend, Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, removed an enormous pearl from her earring – one of a pair that were the largest in the land – dissolved it in vinegar and then drank it, thus winning a wager she had with her lover, Marc Anthony, that she could host the most lavish banquet in history. The oldest known gem and, for centuries, the most valuable, pearls continue to be the epitome of femininity.
Before the advent of cultured pearls, the only way to discover pearls was to dive down and retrieve oyster shells from the seabed – a practice that has been taking place for thousands of years. A perilous profession, discovering a silky orb hidden within a shell was an extremely rare occurrence, which earned the pearl its reputation as the Queen of Gems. It was only when, in 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in producing the world’s first spherical cultured pearl that these gems came to be appreciated by a wider audience. Today, Mikimoto remains one of the most respected names in cultured pearl jewellery and natural pearls continue to be celebrated for their scarcity.
Mike Joseph pearl earrings and ring set with diamonds
What I love the most about pearls is their endless variety. From purest white to deepest black, gleaming gold to delicate pink, there is a pearl to suit all personalities, and if you feel that a round pearl is too traditional for you, there are wonderful baroque pearls that come in all shapes and sizes. Beautiful freaks of nature, their sculptural silhouettes are captivating reminders that you can’t predict what you are going to find when you prise open an oyster shell. Browse our gallery and discover the brands and designers who are creating some of the most exquisite pearl jewellery in the world.
Mikimoto
Mikimoto
Chanel
Chanel
Ksenia Podnebesnaya
Ksenia Podnebesnaya
Utopia Jewels Milano
Utopia Jewels Milano
Buccellati
Buccellati
Brent Neale
Brent Neale
Ana Khouri
Ana Khouri
Yoko London
Yoko London
Autore
Autore
Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor
Tasaki
Tasaki
Fernando Jorge
Fernando Jorge
Dior
Dior
Dior
Dior
Sophie Bille Brahe
Sophie Bille Brahe
Lorenz Baumer
Lorenz Baumer
Irene Neuwirth
Irene Neuwirth
Buccellati
Buccellati
Jacquie Aiche
Jacquie Aiche
David Morris
David Morris
Assael
Assael
Chaumet
Chaumet
Yael Sonia
Yael Sonia
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co.
Nadia Morgenthaler
Nadia Morgenthaler
Mizuki
Mizuki
Mike Joseph
Mike Joseph
Nancy Newberg
Nancy Newberg
Jemma Wynne
Jemma Wynne
Melanie Georgacopoulos
Melanie Georgacopoulos
David Morris
David Morris
Nadine Aysoy
Nadine Aysoy
Jessica McCormack
Jessica McCormack
WORDS
Katerina Perez With more than 12 years’ experience in the jewellery sector, Katerina’s expert knowledge spans everything from retail sales and management to content creation, including brand building, jewellery writing and styling. Born and raised in St Petersburg, Katerina’s favourite hobby as a child was playing with the treasures in her grandmother's jewellery box, inspiring a lifelong love of jewellery from a very early age. She spent five years in St Petersburg University of Culture and Arts studying not journalism but business studies and languages, and her writing skills have developed as her passion for her favourite subject – jewellery – has grown. This is why her writing comes straight from the heart rather than the pages of a book. Daughter of an entrepreneur mother, Katerina exchanged her retail management job for jewellery writing in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
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