Choosing your perfect gemstone: Pearl
Pearls are the birthstone for June and are also gifted for 30th wedding anniversaries. Pearls are unique among gemstones because they don’t arise from the depths of the earth but from the sea.
BIRTHSTONE: JUNE
ANNIVERSARY: 30TH
COLOURS: NATURAL MANTLE
MINERAL: QUARTZ
HARDNESS: 2.5 MOHRS, VERY SOFT
Did you know…
Pearls require no special cutting or polishing to maximize their lustrous beauty, which has been treasured since ancient times and ensures that pearl jewellery is always in style. Pearls were one of the attractions which drew Julius Caesar to Britain.
Pearls are formed inside the shell of certain mollusks as a defence mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside the shell.
Natural and cultured pearls can be found in a wide variety of colours. You will most often see white and cream pearls but black, grey, and pink are also fairly common.
YOUR CARE GUIDE
Avoid chemicals; put your perfume on before you put your pearls on!
To clean your pearls gently rub each pearl using a soft, damp cloth to remove surface debris that may accumulate, such as perfume and makeup. Particularly dirty pearls may be cleaned with mild, diluted soap. Be sure to completely dry the pearl strand to avoid thread deterioration.
Pearls should be stored away from other objects or jewellery that may scratch their surfaces. Wrap them in something soft. Don’t store your pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag as they need air and moisture.