June Is for Pearls: Beautiful Jewelry Featuring This Month’s Birthstone
The special lustrousness of the pearl is beloved across cultures since ancient times
Nobody can say exactly how pearls became the birthstone for June, or precisely how the birthstone calendar as we know it coalesced. The significance of certain gemstones first appears in the Bible in reference to Aaron’s breastplate. Various powers were associated with different jewels in the middle ages. It wasn’t until 1912 that jewelers standardized modern birthstone assignations. In any case, it is best to focus on the special lustrousness of the pearl, beloved across cultures since ancient times.
Here are some of Galerie’s current favorite pearl options, from special occasion showstoppers to little somethings that make a weekday a little more luminous.
Ombre South Sea Pearl Necklace | Pearls by Shari
Based out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Pearls by Shari is known for its great, lustrous South Sea Pearls. The nontraditional transition from dark to light makes this necklace stand out, while the opera length offers two dramatic ways to wear it, doubled at the collar, or long and draped.
Les Pétales Place Vendôme Roses Akoya Cultured Pearl Earrings | Mikimoto
Mikimoto is the first name in pearls when it comes to Akoya. The legendary Japanese brand made round pearls accessible to a broader range when they broke the secret of round, cultured pearls, but the latest cherry blossom designs from them are in no way basic. These lightly sculptural rose gold diamond pavé and Akoya pearl earrings a gentle showstoppers.
Hardwear Bracelet | Tiffany & Co.
The hardware line was recently featured on Tiffany & Co.’s new campaign with Natalie Portman, but there’s a pearl version, too. This 18k bracelet has six freshwater pearls that are just the right amount of ladylike.
Tricopilia Earrings | Mociun
Brooklyn’s Caitlin Mociun makes uncompromisingly one-of-a-kind pieces, and her Bengalese cat, Cleo, became a minor Instagram celebrity in her own right. These blush morganite earrings feature artful almond-shaped pearl drops.
Wild Pearl Strand Bracelet | Paspaley
Paspaley is the queen of the I-have-arrived-sized white South Sea Pearl. Case in point: the Wild Pearl Strand Bracelet, which has a mix of keshi and baroque pearls. No two are alike, all are beautiful, and the bracelet turns the wrist into a spot for starry zen contemplation.
Botticelli Earrings | Sophie Bille Brahe
Sophie Bille Brahe first made a name for herself in the 2010s with her organic freshwater pearl designs. The Botticelli Earrings are perfect for a casual summer evening, with their not-quite-symmetrical design reminiscent of raindrops.
Eclipse Chain Necklace | Melanie Georgacopoulos
London-based designer Melanie Georgacopoulos has make architectural pearls her calling card and in the process become an artist to follow for aficionados looking for a sumptuous twist on modern. The Eclipse Chain Necklace makes baby-sized pearls substantial by weaving ropes of them through onyx links.