June Birthstone Cross Necklace
The most common color for the June birthstone is Pearl, and is the recommended color for the 30th wedding anniversary. The Pearl derives it's name from the Latin word "pirum" which means "pear" because it reflects the shape of the gem. Pearls compare in value with precious stones and are highly esteemed as jewels. Pearls come from many parts of the world. Black pearls are found in the Gulf of Mexico and the waters surrounding some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Persian Gulf and Sri Lanka produce exquisite cream-colored pearls called Orientals. They can be found in the waters of Indonesia, the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast of Mexico in both salt and fresh waters, and many are raised in oyster farms. White is the most common color, but are also found in shades of black, cream, gray, blue, yellow, lavender, green and mauve. Not only is Pearl the color of the June Birthstone, but at one time pearls were once widely used as medicine in Europe until the 17th century, and as early as 2000 BC in China. Even to this day, lower grade pearls are ground for use as medicine in the Orient. Arabs and Persians believed the pearl was a cure for various kinds of diseases, as well as insanity. Perhaps the most famous and beautiful pearl is the La Peregrina (the Wanderer). It is a pear-shaped white pearl, one and a half inches in length, and hangs from a platinum mount studded with diamonds. It was said to be found by a slave in Panama some four hundred years ago, who gave it up in exchange for his freedom. The conquistadors sent the pearl to King Philip II of Spain in 1570. It was passed to Mary I of England, then to Prince Louis Napoleon of France who sold it to the British Marquis of Abercon. It disappeared for almost a century only to reappear at a New York auction house in 1969. The pearl was purchased by actor Richard Burton for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor.
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